HM King Tupou VI inspects the Tongatapu Royal Agricultural Show 2012. 19 October 2012.

Tonga has abundant food but it does not balance with our efforts to be active, and much fertile land remains uncultivated, HM King Tupou VI said  in opening Tongatapu's two-day Royal Agricultural Show 2012 at the Manamo'ui grounds in 'Atele, this afternoon Friday October 19.

Accompanied by Queen Nanasipau'u the king viewed colorful displays of the traditional food crops flowers, vegetables, seafood and fish.

Women from villages from throughout the main island showcased their beautiful tapa cloths, handcrafts and fine woven mats. While local businesses were also on hand to display their locally made products, from canvas paintings to coconut oil, jewelry and other local services.

12 percent farmed

King Tupou VI in his statement, said that according to information from the Ministry of Agriculture around 48,000 acres of land in Tongatapu is fit for farming, but only 12 percent was being farmed while the remaining 88 percent was neglected.

He said the revenue generated from marketing Tonga's agricultural products and fisheries last year was at $11 million pa'anga, from the 12 percent of the land that was farmed.

"If we can market our agricultural products we can increase the acreage of land farmed to around 50 percent, which would mean more opportunity for all Tongans who can farm, fish and make handicrafts to export their products overseas," he said.

He said it is known that Tonga has abundant food but it does not balance with our efforts to be active. There is a need to have a healthy diet and reduce diseases that Tongans suffer from due to wrong food consumption.

"Relevant sectors need to work closely together so that we can achieve what we set out to do," said the king.

He thanked the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Forests and Fisheries, the Minister Hon. Sangster Saulala, farmers, fishermen and women for their hard work in this year's show and he hoped that it would reach the Niuas and Vava'u in the future.

The Prime Minister Lord Tu'ivakano was present at the show with many guests.

Ha'apai and 'Eua held their Royal Agricultural shows earlier this month.