Deputy PM opened Agricultural Policy, Research and Extension workshop ^Featured

The two-day workshop aimed to foster a more effective understanding of Agricultural policy and its interrelationship with other related sectors,  build awareness of the intra-ACP Agriculture Policy Program and the link between the Pacific and the Caribbean and to develop understanding and access to regional Agriculture Policy Banks and the Tonga Agricultural Sector Plan.

Tonga is the first of the 15 ACP countries to establish this level of outreach in linking the Pacific to the works carried out in the Caribbean states via the Intra-ACP.

Hon Sovaleni in his opening remarks said the theme of the workshop was relevant as it draws together key stakeholders from different sectors with the support of the media in addressing issues that affects agriculture such as climate change.

“As SIDS, we are diverse and often seen as disadvantaged by our geographical dispersion and small sizes. Climate Change is now also recognised as a key developmental issue that affects all of us,” he said.

“We have seen significant support by both regional and local media in the fight against climate change and the theme of this workshop is both regional and local media in the fight against climate change and the theme of this workshop is both opportune and timely as it provides a platform to bring together stakeholders working across key affected sectors such as environment, health and agriculture.”

Hon Sovaleni said there was a publication recently launched by the Pacific Community highlighting the link between agriculture and climate change.

“I also understand that the Pacific Community recently launched a significant publication on the Vulnerability of Pacific Agriculture and Forestry to Climate Change highlighting the link between the Agriculture sector and the fight against climate change, a link that is often unrecognised.”

“I am sure there are other linkages but this emphasized the fact that we need to work holistically and we cannot operate in isolation and at the policy level, it is very important to ensure that there is clear and effective engagement between these sectors, and clear engagement with the private sector and all relevant stakeholders.”

Hon Sovaleni encouraged facilitators to discuss the linkages between the objectives of this key workshop with SDGs Goal 2 which is to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

SPC’s Information and Communication Management Officer Ms Salome Tukuafu said that 60% of the Pacific’s population involved in the Agricultural sector, a sector that is often overlooked in its significant contributions to GDP and livelihoods, as well as its evident linkages to other sectors such as Health and Environment.

Representatives from the regional media in partnership with PINA are in Nuku’alofa to attend the workshop as well as representatives from the European Union.

The workshop is funded and organized by SPC and the European Union in close collaboration with Tonga’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Forestry.

-Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications