Awarded the title of ‘Best Vanilla Farmer’, Inoke Maama who was a previous winner, received awards for the Best Quality 1kg Vanilla Beans and the Longest Mature Bean, in a Vanilla Awards event held last week in Neiafu, Vava’u.

The awards are for Vanilla farmers in Vava’u who are part of the New Zealand funded ‘Tonga Vanilla Activity’ or the ‘Kalapu Tō Vanila’ in Tongan.

The New Zealand High Commission in Nuku’alofa reported that Inoke had demonstrated positive changes from applying new growing techniques he learnt through one of the 13 established Kalapu Tō Vanila groups. His beans are exceptionally long.

According to the NZHC, the Kalapu Tō Vanila groups work with farmers to develop the best practice approaches to growing, harvesting and postharvest.

“As well as supporting extension services and research on vanilla plant responses to weather patterns, tree structure and pruning modifications.”