Farmers, students and teachers in the South Pacific nation of Tonga are receiving training in agroforestry as part of a broader program to tackle the adverse effects of climate change on food production.

“Understanding the concepts and benefits of agroforestry can help the participants to utilise locally available food crops, tree species and livestock to develop a good farming system,” said Losaline Ma’asi Chief Executive Officer of Tonga’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Forests and Fisheries.

Islands Business reports on a 2-day agroforestry training program conducted by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) at Hango Agricultural College in Eua, Tonga.

Agroforestry has been practiced for decades in Tonga, with a range of different systems developed for different environments and locations in Tonga.

“I’m totally convinced by the concept of agroforestry and I want similar training for all extension officers in my ministry,” said Ma’asi as she outlined how she will work with SPC to organize similar training for staff in other areas of Tonga.

Hango Agriculture College, which is accredited by the University of the South Pacific, trains students for careers in the agriculture sector. Forty per cent of the student population comes from Vanuatu. SPC has supported the college to establish agroforestry demonstration plots and teach students about sustainable farming systems. The recent agroforestry training program was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as part of the ‘Enhanced Climate Change Resilience of Food Production Systems in Pacific Island Countries and Territories’ initiative.

Read the full story: SPC supports agroforestry in Tonga