King Tupou VI opened Vava’u Agriculture, Fisheries, Tourism and Trade Show 2019 Featured
Their Majesties King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u Tuku'aho at the opening of the Vava’u Agriculture, Fisheries, Tourism and Trade Show 2019 at Nippon Ground
20 July, 2019. King Tupou VI opened Vava’u Agriculture, Fisheries, Tourism and Trade Show 2019 at Nippon Ground, on Friday 19 July 2019. The event drew hundreds of visitors where women groups, farmers, government ministries and individuals showcased their products and services.
His Majesty, in his royal address, emphasized the need to acclimatise Tonga’s food production to correspond with the changing climate.
“The global climate is getting warmer and we have to consider the seedlings that are resilient to the warming climate. When the degree Celsius reaches 35 the corns will not bear fruits. When the temperature reaches 39, the yams will not yield and the cassava plants will yield with depleted nutrients.”
He advised the people of Vava’u to change their farming approaches by planting fast-growing vegetables and the types of beans that can be picked before the harvesting season.
He highlighted the value of Vava’u producing majority of Tonga’s kava plant and vanilla to the commercial production of products but at the same time encouraged people not to disregard subsistence farming to avoid the increase of food prices.
“If we can be cautious in deciding which livestock to breed, the price of meat will be cheaper. The government can support livestock production to replace the country’s imports such as the 50 million pa’anga spent annually. This money can be used in areas such as financing scholarships for students to study medical and purchase medical equipment.”
His Majesty acknowledged the support from Vava’u, a reminder of the spirit of the Tau Tahi which is critical to mitigating climate change.
- MEIDECC
