By Katalina Siasau

The Pacific Farmer Organizations (PFO) will receive AUD$3 million in funding from the Australian Government to support climate-resilient farming initiatives in seven Pacific countries, including Tonga, over the next four years.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) committed to the funding in a signing on 26 May in Nuku'alofa, by Peter Kaohand (PRO Board member) and Australia's High Commissioner to Tonga, HE Brek Batley, during the 4^th Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry, being held at Tonga High School.

The program is coordinated by Pacific Farmer Organisations, who represent a network of 30 farmer organisations across 14 Pacific Island Countries and more than 100,000 smallholder
farmers.

HE Brek Batley said, "Locally tailored climate solutions are essential for a prosperous, resilient and inclusive agricultural sector across the Pacific."

He acknowledged the various challenges facing agriculture, including climate change. "Australia recognises the role that climate resilient agriculture plays in addressing complex problems, like improving nutrition and livelihoods for farmers and rural communities across the Pacific."

This new commitment builds upon the AUD$1 million already provided by Australia in 2024 for the program. In its initial year, the program facilitated rapid adaptation activities on farms for 16,800 farmers across Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, and Vanuatu.

In Tonga specifically, the Growers Federation is actively engaging with schools to raise awareness about climate change and distribute seedlings and tools.

At the event, the Speaker of Parliament Lord Fakafanua, emphasized the critical importance of food security in the context of global challenges.

He recognized the efforts of farmers and the contributions of organizations present from Tonga, namely MORDI Tonga Trust, Nishi Trading, and the Growers Federation Tonga.

The Climate Resilient Farming in the Pacific Islands program is a partnership between Pacific Farmer Organisations, the Australian Government and the European Union and the International Fund for Agricultural Development.