Project to equip farmers to adapt to climate change – FBC News

The Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways is working to build farmers’ capacity on various aspects of climate-friendly food systems and improve our farmers’ knowledge to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change.

While launching the Climate Smart Pacific Food Systems project in Sigatoka, Permanent Secretary for Agriculture Dr. Andrew Tukana highlighted that Fiji currently ranks 57th out of 166 countries in the Sustainable Development Goals Index rankings, with an overall score of 72.9%.

Dr. Tukana underlines that this overall score measures overall progress towards achieving the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

“The strategic development plan for 2024-2028 under the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways’ three strategic priorities, which is to improve the adoption of sustainable resource management and climate-friendly agriculture, is aligned with this project objective.”

Dr. Tukana reiterated that this project will create a better platform to implement the Ministry’s priorities by using collaborative research and development to upskill farmers on climate change knowledge.

New Zealand Deputy High Commissioner Alex Davis notes that integrating food security and systems is, of course, critical when working in the field of resilience and adaptation to climate change.

“The aim of the program is to both build the well-being and resilience of communities to the impacts of climate change through Pacific-led climate-smart food systems, and supports New Zealand’s mission to work with Fiji to support community adaptation to climate change. Strengthening disaster response and improving community preparedness.”

The program is organized by the New Zealand International Plant and Food Research Institute in partnership with the Farmer Plus Fiji program and aims to strengthen value and supply chains, improve production and also sustain agricultural products by promoting trade in Fiji.