August 2024
Thursday 29
Nukualofa, Kingdom of Tonga – August 29,2024 – The Pacific Island Farmers Organisation Network is pleased to announce an upcoming panel discussion titled “Farmers at the Heart of Pacific 2050: Ensuring Food Security and Sustainability in the Pacific Islands”. The event will take place on August 29, 2024, from 9-11am at the Tonga High School Library. This important discussion aims to highlight the critical role of farmers in achieving the goals set out in the Pacific 2050 Strategy.
The Pacific 2050 Strategy envisions a future of peace, security, social inclusion, and prosperity for the region. However, as the region grapples with the challenges posed by climate change, economic inequality, and food insecurity, it is increasingly clear that farmers are pivotal to the success of this vision. This panel will explore how traditional farming practices, sustainable agriculture, and farmer-led innovations are essential to building resilient communities across the Pacific.
Panelists Include:
– Lord Fatafehi Fakafānua, Speaker, Legislative Assembly of Tonga.
– Dr Viliami Toalei Manu, CEO, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Tonga
– Suzie Newman – Director, International Development, New Zealand Plant & Food Research.
– Tatafu Moeaki – Governor, National Reserve Bank of Tonga
– Minoru Nishi Jr, Managing Director, Nishi Trading. Chairman, Pacific Farmer Organisations.
– Sinai Tuitahi, CEO, Growers Federation of Tonga
– Moderator – Kyle Stice, Executive Director, Pacific Farmer Organisations.
The discussion will cover several key areas, including:
– The integration of traditional knowledge with modern agricultural practices to ensure food security.
– The role of farmers in mitigating the impacts of climate change and natural disasters.
– Strategies for empowering women and youth in agriculture to drive economic growth and social inclusion.
– The importance of regional cooperation in supporting sustainable farming and resource management.
– How the existing regional architecture supports (or not) farmers; what needs to change so that the contribution of farmers to Pacific 2050 is strengthened?