Vanuatu agriculture

Vanuatu Tahitian limes bound for New Zealand

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development confirmed that their workers have been working closely with eight Tahitian lime farmers on Efate island.

The farmers have consistently supplied lime fruits for the export market especially New Zealand through Dynamic Supply Company Limited Vanuatu.

The Agricultural Department said the export indicates that the quantity of Tahitian limes keep on increasing for each consignment since the development of the Tahitian lime Export Procedures Manual Vanuatu in 2021.

     

New water tanks for Vanuatu’s SANMA province

The tanks are part of the Tropical Cyclone Harold recovery efforts.

The Minister of Education, Samson Samsen and VAS signed an agreement for the project which is worth about VT30 million.

The Principal Education Officer, Marcel Yamsiu said schools in both SANMA and MALAMPA will receive the water tanks.

“This storage should be big enough to store all materials that will be supplied to at least all schools from the northern part of the country.”

Vanuatu launches MERMAID project to boost Agriculture sector

The three-year project will support agriculture and agribusinesses to improve food security, nutrition, and rural incomes.

It is aligned with the National Sustainable Development Goals and complements the work of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, Forestry and Biosecurity.

Director General Moses Amos outlined the six components of the project that include linking farmers to domestic buyers and increasing production through enhanced farming techniques.

Vanuatu to benefit from Israeli agriculture training

 The programme is the first virtual intensive training on agricultural extension for intensive vegetable production for the entire Pacific islands region including Vanuatu.

Israeli Ambassador to the Pacific Island Countries, Dr Tibor Shalev Schlosser said the programme will be dedicated to meeting the challenges and the special climate and land conditions of the Pacific Islands.

Vanuatu tourism worker turns to agriculture

Kenneth of Worasiviu village returned home after completing a stint in the tourism industry overseas.

He decided to go into farming and recently established the Pele Island Farmers' Association.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Kenneth is the current chairman of the Association and under his leadership has seen an increase in the number of people cultivating their land.

"The main purpose of setting up this association is to encourage more farmers to increase production and encourage young people to start investing in agriculture.

Vanuatu and China to expand cooperation in agriculture, fisheries, livestock

Both said that this initiative will maintain diplomatic relations.

They reviewed cooperation in the key sectors and agreed to expand cooperation in the areas of investment and trade too.

The two ministers held their first ever dialogue recently this week during Minister Han’s visit with his delegation.

Minister Nevu highlighted the status, opportunities and challenges facing the agriculture sector of Vanuatu.

Vanuatu seeks more support from FAO

Prime Minister Charlot Salwai has also sought FAO’s assistance to build capacity in data collection and analysis with special regard to monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP).

The NSDP is a nationalization of the Sustainable Development Goals at the global level.

Salwai addressed a summit with the FAO in Rome last Saturday.

Vanuatu is particularly interested in climate resilience crops that will ensure food security especially post-disasters.

Vanuatu gears up for Pacific Week of Agriculture

The week-long event is aimed at becoming Pacific's premiere agriculture event on the Pacific calendar and bringing together people from different agriculture sectors to discuss the future of agriculture.

PWA Media and Communications Team Leader, Kiery Manassah said the event will attract more than 2000 people from across the region and internationally.

“All 26 members of Pacific Community (SPC) which includes four metropolitans- Australia, New Zealand, France and US will be at the meeting and represented by the respective Agriculture Ministers and Officials,” he said.

Highlight on importance of Pacific agriculture in Vanuatu

That is the view of the communications head of the inuagural Pacific Week of Agriculture in Vanuatu in October, Kiery Manassah.

He said they are putting a lot of work into the event, which could bring together up to 200 people from around the Pacific region.

Mr Manassah said it is a sad fact not many people in Pacific countries recognise the importance of agriculture.

"Therefore you know, a lot of focus has been on other sectors," he said.

Vanuatu to host up to 200 PWA delegates

The figure has been revealed by organizers in Port Vila who are optimistic PWA, which will combine for the first time, two key regional agriculture meetings – the Heads of Agriculture and Forestry Services meeting organised by the Pacific Community or SPC, and the and Forestry Services Meeting organised by SPC and the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation or FAO.

It is anticipated that PWA will live up to its billing as the premiere agriculture and agritourism forum for the region.