Two pilot projects were launched in Tongatapu last week by the visiting German Ambassador to Tonga, HE Joerg Zimmermann.

At the village of Te'ekiu he inspected a piggery and then in Nuku'alofa handed over an oil extracting machine to the Tonga National Youth Congress. Both projects were supported by the German Small Scale Project Fund.

The German Honorary Consul for Tonga Carl Sanft said that the piggery for Te'ekiu village was a pilot project to build a community piggery for the village.

"If it is successful it could be duplicated in other villages and it could be a solution to pigs roaming around the villages," said Carl.

Ambassador Zimmermann visited the village wherehe was welcomed by Soakai Motu'apuaka, a brother of the estate owner, and the people of Te'ekiu. The construction of the Te'ekiu piggery cost T$18,000.

During his visit to Tonga from November 12-15 the ambassador also handed over an oil extracting machine costing $19,000 to Drew Havea of the National Youth Congress. Carl said that this pilot project could also be duplicated in other places in Tonga.