May 2024
Thursday 9
Nuku’alofa, Tonga – On Thursday, May 9, 2024, Nishi Trading and the FORI Pacific Breadfruit Project-Tonga celebrated the inaugural Breadfruit Festival, known as “MEI DAY.” The event, held under the theme “Our Actions on Mei for Health, Education, and Economic Development are Our Future,” showcased the versatility and resilience of breadfruit as a vital food crop.
The Honourable Lord Fohe, Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, delivered a keynote address emphasizing the importance of breadfruit as a sustainable food source crucial to Tonga’s future. In his speech, Lord Fohe acknowledged the collaborative efforts of the Pacific Farmer Organisations (PFO), the European Union (EU), and other development partners in supporting the FORI Pacific Breadfruit Project-Tonga. This project aims to enhance the breadfruit industry by promoting sustainable cultivation practices, optimizing processing methods, and aligning breadfruit products with market demands.
“This MEI day is a testament to progress with these messages: ‘Our Actions on MEI for Health, Education and Economic Development with better livelihoods are Our Future,’” Lord Fohe stated. He highlighted the project’s alignment with Tonga’s strategic and agricultural sector plans to address food and nutrition security, sustainable development, poverty alleviation, and economic growth. The project also aims to strengthen public-private partnerships to ensure food security, health, skill development, and improved livelihoods for the people of Tonga.
The festival featured a variety of activities, including tours of exhibits by Tongatapu Women’s Groups, who showcased and offered samples of diverse breadfruit dishes. Organizations such as MORDI Tonga Trust and breadfruit processors like Believing in Grace, Tupu’anga, and Nishi Trading displayed their products, providing attendees with insights into the numerous uses and benefits of breadfruit. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry-Tonga also participated by distributing breadfruit seedlings to attendees, reinforcing the commitment to sustainable agriculture.
The event successfully demonstrated the broad potential of breadfruit as a key component in Tonga’s health, education, and economic development strategies. Attendees left the festival inspired and equipped with new knowledge and connections, reaffirming breadfruit’s place as the crop of the future for Tonga.
In his closing remarks, Lord Fohe invited everyone to explore the breadfruit displays, taste the samples, and engage in discussions to further strengthen the community’s commitment to this vital crop.
“Let us leave this MEI Day inspired, armed with knowledge, and remember to make breadfruit the crop of the future for Tonga,” he concluded.
Malo ‘aupito.
