A colourful procession through Port Vila and walkways decorated with local produce of yams, pumpkin, coconuts and kava marked the start today of the inaugural Pacific Week of Agriculture.
Men and boys in traditional dress also put up a welcome ceremony, including the presentation of a pig and root-crops.
Islands Business reports the Vanuatu capital is hosting the first ever week on Pacific Agriculture, all aimed at boosting the key role agriculture plays in island economies.
The Pacific Community (SPC) with the aide of the UN Food and Agricutural Organisation (FAO) are supporting the weeklong event which will culminate with a meeting of heads of agriculture and forestry of the Pacific on Thursday and the ministers of agriculture and forestry on Friday.
Vanuatu as host of the Pacific Week of Agriculture is merging this week's activities with its annual Agro-Tourism Week.
Agricultural agencies including farming organisations in Vanuatu as well as around the Pacific have put up exhibition booths at Independence Park for public viewing.
Seminars and side-events on agriculture and tourism are also being hosted at the nearby Vanuatu Conference Centre to coincide with the Pacific Week of Agriculture.
Photo by Islands Business