September 2016
Farmer participants discuss breadfruit orchard planting techniques
The Pacific Island Farmers Organisation Network in partnership with Nishi Foundation, GroFed (Growers Federation of Tonga) and MORDI (Mainstreaming of Rural Development Innovation Tonga Trust) co-organized a Pacific Breadfruit Roundtable. This two-day consultative roundtable was held in Nuku’alofa, on the friendly islands of Tonga from September 15th – 16th, 2016. The event was attended by 50 participants from seven Pacific Island countries including farmers, farmer organisation representatives, research organisations, government partners and aid agencies.
This event, a first of its kind for the region, was co-funded by the EU funded SPC PAPP (Pacific Agricultural Partnership Program) and IFAD/SDC funded MTCP II project.
Simple breadfruit processing equipment for peeling and slicing
The objective of this roundtable was to bring together PIFON members and other partners who are actively involved in breadfruit research and development in the Pacific to share experiences, get updated and work to synergize regional breadfruit activities. Discussions on the context for breadfruit development in the region as well as PIFON’s Pacific Breadfruit and Seed Supply Programme (PBSP) were the focus subjects. The roundtable also included four technical sessions including: Breadfruit Varieties and Propagation, Breadfruit Production Systems, Fresh Exports of Breadfruit and Breadfruit Processing.
A key outcome from the roundtable meeting were detailed national work plans for each of the seven countries represented, along with a series of inter-regional technical partnerships being established. PIFON is now seeking additional funding for its PBSP to help support the national activities identified. Proceedings from this roundtable will be released by PIFON in due course.
Mālō ‘aupito to our wonderful Tongan hosts for organizing such a productive and memorable event!