Global Climate Chnage Alliance / Pacific Small Island States (GCCA PSIS) Project in Tuvalu

A very healthy forest

The purpose of the project is the “Improving Agro-forestry systems to enhance Food Security and Build Resilience to Climate Change in Tuvalu”

 

Site cleaning

Site Cleaning Completed

Few tree crops in the nursery

The first site in Funafuti was established in May 2014 from a site used by the Banana Project which is now completed these past few years. Through the years, the NAPA project used the site as a nursery for their “plant resilient to climate change” plantlets. The site was excavated and fence was put up in recommendation of the GCCA project objectives and to secure the NAPA plantlet from theft. The GCCA boys managed to complete 1 week for the fence post to be positioned and another week for stretching the fence wire and cleaning of the project site.Throughout the two busy weeks, the project technical officer travel to the northern islands to collect tree crops for nursery here on the first project site. The reason for nursing these tree crops so that the cuttings can be distributed amongst the communities for replanting, thus securing Food Security purpose in the country. These tree crops include Pandanus cuttings, Breadfruit and Wild Figs cuttings. On the site, there are two types of crops to be nurse, tree crops and senile trees for coast line guard

Few trees for coastline protection

Concerning other influence of climate change, many areas in Funafuti are vulnerable to the effects of climate change especially the coast line, and that will be another priority for this project. An affected site closed to the Pacific Energy Plant needed to plant trees on the coast line to help prevent soil runoff and to protect coast line against soil erosion. Trees including “Cordia Subcordata”, wild senile Pandanus trees, “barringtonia asiatica”, “Topurnefortia argentea”, “Callophyllum inophyllum”, “Scaevola traccada” and other senile tree will be the answer to help guard the coast line from the effects of sea currents.

Earnings from the Rocks

The Taiwan Farm has promoted subsistence farming to fellow interested farmers on the capital and motivates them to compete in various competitions in growing vegetable crops to attain better health status. In their other development, they have succeeded in growing many types of vegetable crops and sell it to the public. This result in the improvement of the natives’ dietary health status

Beginning from a few years back, the Department in collaboration with the Taiwan Embassy in Funafuti setup a farm naming the “Te Taugasoa Fiafia Farm” meaning Happy Friendly Farm. From there, the eyes of the people were upon this farm development and most of the time there are new visitors to the farm in curiosity of the Taiwan expert and his willing to grow crops.

The site is a very rocky area where all the Pigpens are located. All the Pigpens were re-allocated to newly build pens which were financially assisted by the Taiwan Embassy. The extension of the Farm went swiftly due to the financial assistance from the Taiwan Embassy, and labour service from the Departments. Not so long after that, the weeding of the area begins after the excavation, and later on, the planting begins. It takes about 2 whole years for the excavation and the weeding to complete before growing takes place.

Many crops were grown in the “Te Taugasoa Fiafia Farm”, but the boundary was embedded with flower plants and pumpkin. This benefits the local very much because the flowers growing on the farm boundary can be used by the people in social occasion for decoration and making garlands., same for the pumpkin, Pig farmers or pass-by can pollinate and harvest for food security purpose. This promotes the peoples food security and their livelihoods.

All the crops on the farm will be taking care by irrigation and those are the crops that consider to be selling to the public. Every Friday, in good or bad weather, people will line up on the Farm gate waiting to buy vegetable crops from the Farm. This brings in revenue to the Department and food security secureness to the people of Tuvalu

Merging Information for Strategy Planning

FAO in collaboration with the Department arranged a workshop for the Department and its stakeholders in planning strategies for the Department for the next 10 years, 2014 – 2023. The 3 day workshop was funded by FAO and was consulted by two FAO officers; one is from the FAO office in Suva, the other is a local consultant.

The main goal of the workshop is to create strategies and developing models to enhance food security purposes and to attain and sustain the livelihoods and dietary health of the indigenous in rural and urban level. Involve in the workshop are officers from various departments, local farmers and representatives from the private sector, which in turn play vital roles in sharing ideas and information during the workshop

The Department in its development have few powers and resources to achieve its key policies objectives in the Te Kakeega II, but should have to explore the possibility of creating a network for coordinating and harmonizing initiatives on achieving its key policies through agreements or memoranda of understanding.

Concerning the Departments Priorities and Strategies according to the Te Kakeega II, “The development of agriculture in Tuvalu must confront many fundamental issues and challenges. Among them poor soils and growing conditions, small land areas, few comparative advantages, decline outer island populations, increasing urbanisation, declining interest in traditional agriculture practices, distance to export markets, and poor local market access for those who do wish to produce cash crops. Nonetheless, there is still considerable scope for increasing production for local consumption and reversing recent production declines. Key challenges will be to revitalise and expand agriculture extension services, encourage people to once again turn to local rather than imported foods for better nutrition health, and improve transport and marketing of local produce.” (GOVERNMENT, 2005)

In order to achieve the mentioned challenges, the Department to my own extent must have the ability to identify its key players and to have better reporting which I recommend the Mobile Phone Reporting to communicate amongst stakeholders. Since there have been mobile development in Tuvalu, to link the farmers together with the market, extension officers and the Department, the setup of this Mobile Phone Reporting might be another way to execute the priorities and strategies for Tuvalu until 2023. The department must promote this phone reporting and prioritize it because it can contribute in the long run for the next 10 years.

Priority Achievement

Agro Vegetable Competition

Various activities were established by the Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the Taiwan Farm to improve the capacity building of farmers in Tuvalu. One activity to draw farmer’s intention is a competition which also involves anyone who is willing to participate.It was initiate for farmers to compete in a Planting Agriculture Vegetables as a mean of communication amongst themselves about planting techniques, using of fertilizers (their important and their disadvantages), and how this competition provide  good food security and nutrition to improve their livelihoods

Mrs. Akinesi Sianoa, a senior staff of the Department statesthat previous competition were held and was focusing on growing various vegetables such as Watermelon, Tomato, Capsicum, Beans, and other available vegies seeds from the Taiwan Aid. But this competition will be focusing only to Watermelon. The winner will only be judged on two conditions, which is; if only his/her Watermelon weights the heaviest, and that it is the best Watermelon, concerning its size and its appearance. The competition procedure was discussed on a half day meeting with the participants in whom Mrs. Sianoa and the Taiwan expert elaborate more on the competition procedures. The farmers were motivated during the half day meeting

All the seedlings were planted on the same time in the Taiwan Demonstration Farm, and were distributed to participants. Meanwhile, farmers were advised to hold their planting and listen to the radio for the announcement about the starting date of the competition. There is no bias in the competition because the seedlings were planted on the same time and was handed to farmers in pots which can be planted in beds on a 5 day period.

The prizes were given by the Taiwan Consulate to Tuvalu, and included in it are farming tools and cash Prizes that can be of very good assistant to the winners in their Agriculture Developments after the competition. This competition was implemented for food security purposes and improvement of the participant’s livelihoods. Thus the competition brings motivation to farmers who haven’t been participated

Priority Achievement

Tissue Culture

SPC in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture have an understanding to import Tissue Culture of mostly crops that are non-vulnerable to climate change. The idea was to promote food security issues

Include in the Importing of these Tissue Culture are Potato, Cassava, Giant Taro and “Dalo ni Tana”, Pulaka and Banana Culture. It was targeted the interested farmers that want to raise these types of variety in their farm/garden. The tissue culture has been in the care of a senior official of the Department, Mr. Fialua Monise

When at first, the first tissue culture arrive into the country contains only Banana culture on the first phase of the Banana Project. Currently, the officer in charge is still awaiting a respond from his request to extend the project timeframe. At the moment, National Adaptation Program of Action project in Tuvalu (NAPA) seems to be interested in this tissue culture project which makes them import more tissue culture with different varieties from SPC. Meanwhile, SPC send the tissue culture and an officer to demonstrate the tissue extraction from culture to polythene bags before transplanting into beds

There is a surprise from a farmer who lodge a report about a banana corm he extracted from a friend. He replanted this corm and to his surprise, the corm was split into two. He was curious about what happened where he reported it to Agriculture Extension Official for awareness. He suggest further that he will get two yield on a time of harvest if this banana tree successfully grown into a mature tree

Considering food security issues, this Tissue Culture program might promote good food security secureness and can assist locals in times of drought and cyclone seasons. The program also have many blessing from the locals as it seem to help promote their livelihoods

Issues & Challenges

Piglet Issue

Another factor that also deteriorates the improvement of our food security system is the lacked information handed over to farmers, and that of not enough motivation to farmers about good livestock & poultry management procedures.

Concerning an issue from an active farmer here on Funafuti, there is an issue from his farm regarding a piglet with no anal opening. Appropriate officials was informed concerning the issue, and proper advice was given to the farmer from the Departments senior officers and advice from Dr. Ken Cokanasiga of SPC. This is his first ever issue to his piglet since he first start farming Pigs. At first, he seeks advice from an Agriculture Officer to assist him with this issue. And I respond advising the farmer to keep feeding his piglet not to isolate them from its siblings while they are weaning

The Livestock Officer (former) Mr. Peleti Pole was informed and he elaborates more about the issue. He also advice that for the record, the animal must be put down, as it can be a burden to the feeding process and that when the piglet grow, there might be difficulties in its defecation. The same issue was reported to Dr. Ken of SPC via email and was copied to the Director of the Department for awareness. They both have the same advice with that of the former Livestock Officer Mr. Peleti Pole. The farmer was surprised to receive the advice because he didn’t expect that his piglet will be in this situation

We came to a conclusion with the farmer about the challenging issue he now faced and he respond that he will still be farming this piglet, until it’s good to be consume, where he think it’s the appropriate time to put down his animal.

Concerning this issue, to what I have discovered, farmers must be taught even the basic skills of Livestock Management where none so far practice in our farming system. Farmers must be trained so that they can manage their Livestock and Poultry safe and sound. A farmers’ association must also be established so that discussion can be made through the Department and them to have proper sounding to whatever disease or issues as such that might affect their development resulting in food security and their livelihoods. If more issues like this were raised, then there is no improvement in our food security because the mortality rate of Pigs will be on the young age group

I recommend the Establishment of Farmers Association to be included in the Department Priorities in their Road Map for strategic planning

Issues & Challenges

Coastal erosion

The major concern of the Agriculture sector is Climate Change resulting in Sea Level rise, Drought and other impacts which so far we have experienced the last few years. Few of the inhabitants have decided and migrated to New Zealand and Australia. Thus the issue haven't change.

One of the major issue that affect Agriculture and its development is Coastal Erosion. There have been many changes to our climate factors which decide the changes to our landscape, weather forecast, and other indigenous elements. So, when our Coastline is weak, then that makes our coast vulnerable to strong currents which can be easily come ashore and ruined our tree crops and vegetables

One of the key risks confronting the environment according to the Tuvalu Strategic Planning, 2005 – 2015 is:    

·         Poor waste management and pollution control.

(Government, 2005)

The leaks from very high risk waste like batteries air-condition set, heavy duty vehicles, fertilizers, other harmful substances may absorb by ground water and washed down to the sea resulting in coral bleaching. Coral Bleaching also trigger by the rising temperature. Unfortunately, it has been a major issue on an islet on the capital island.

 

Tepuka Savilivili is an Islet on the western side of Funafuti before was incorporated in the conservation area due to its desirability by birds, turtles, coconut crabs and other marine creatures. Because of coral bleaching, it makes it vulnerable to strong currents which easily wiped out all the Agricultural crops, trees resulting in the migration of wildlife

Currently, the dumbing area has been managed and regulation was enforced. Waste management is one of the most pressing problems and has direct implicationsfor human and ecosystem health, especially in Funafuti. If collected and disposed of properly, this will lead to less potential pollution of lagoon waters and less accumulation of waste that is a latent source of disease and other public health issues.(Government, 2005)

Tuvalu is ranked one of the most environmentally vulnerable states in the region,largely because of its low relief and small land area.(Government, 2005)

Perhaps it is time for the Develop Countries to amend about their “family car” to save a percentage of the emergence fumes that will be emitted thus performing the risks to these climatic factors we are suffering now