The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will support farmers and fisherfolk in Tonga, a South Pacific island nation located in one of the world’s most prone regions to natural disasters, including massive volcanic eruption and tsunami.
FAO is gravely “concerned regarding the impact of recurrent natural disasters in this country on the agricultural sectors, including fisheries, crops and livestock”, said the organization, noting that “regarding 86% of Tongans are engaged in some agricultural activity”.
“We have already provided support to Tonga in response to a series of shocks that the country has experienced in recent years and are ready to intensify our work to help these vulnerable populations get back on their feet,” said the coordinator for the Islands. of the FAO Pacific, Xiangjun Yao.
Ashfall can have very deleterious effects on crops and livestock, which mainly depend on the thickness of the ash layer, the growing conditions, the timing and intensity of subsequent rains, the state availability of uncontaminated feed and water, she said.
Tonga will need both short-term and long-term assistance, Ms Yao said, noting that FAO has already started allocating funds for damage assessment and a first round of interventions.
The agricultural sector accounted for nearly 14% of Tonga’s gross domestic product in 2015-2016 and over 65% of their exports. The main export products are kava, squash, pumpkin, root crops, coconuts and fish.
Fishing and related activities are also an important source of food, especially for communities living on those of Tonga’s 36 inhabited islands that are most isolated.
FAO has worked for many years in Tonga to help build resilience and food security, train young farmers, help women establish ornamental plant nurseries and make the country’s fisheries more sustainable.
