Mordi Tonga Trust

MORDI Tonga aims to be the central hub for rural development programmes that strengthen community livelihoods. We are committed to expanding initiatives with clear value-chain linkages to boost productivity and income. Through rigorous research and innovation, we aim to enhance community resilience and promote sustainable, inclusive rural growth.

Current Projects:

1. Tonga Australia Resilient Community Project (TARCP)

Funding: DFAT (AUD 9.7 M ≈ TOP 14.8 M)

Implementer: MORDI Tonga Trust  |   Duration: 2024 –2029

2. Tonga Rural Innovation Project (TRIP) III

Funding:   Total Cost (USD 19.36 M ≈ TOP 46.56 M)

IFAD (USD 5.3 M) |  GEF (USD 4.69 M)  |  Govt & Beneficiaries (USD 4.87 M) | Gap (USD 4.5 M)

Implementer: MORDI Tonga Trust            |  Duration: 2026 – 2031

3. Climate Resilient Seed & Seedling Production Project (CRSSP)

Funding: Total Cost (NZD 1.22 M ≈ TOP 1.68 M)

Implementer: MORDI Tonga Trust  | Donor: New Zealand Government (MFAT – CFCR)
Duration: 2024 – 2026     | Coverage: 53 communities (38 Tongatapu + 15 ’Eua)

MORDI Tonga drives research that strengthens rural development through innovative, evidence-based solutions. Our work focuses on improving livelihoods, boosting community resilience, and addressing key challenges such as food security and climate adaptation.

Current research: 

1. Sustainable Agricultural Intensification 

Project Name – Sustainable Agricultural Intensification (SAI) Systems for Climate-

Resilient Development in the Pacific

Code: CLIM/2020/186 | Funding: ACIAR

Budget: AUD 1.63M I    Location: Tonga, Samoa

Duration: Feb 2023 – Dec 2026

Lead: University of Melbourne

Partners: Lincoln University, MORDI Tonga Trust

Programme: ACIAR Climate Change

2. Food Loss in the Pacific

Project Name – Gender-Inclusive Reduction of Horticultural Food Loss in the Pacific

Code: CS/2020/191  | Funding: ACIAR  Budget: AUD 1.22M

Duration: Aug 2022 – Dec 2026

Countries: Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga
Lead: SROS

Partners: MORDI Tonga Trust

Programme: Horticulture

3. Soil Management in the Pacific

Project Name – Pacific Soil Portal Phase 2: Soil Management in the Pacific Islands

Code: SLAM/2020/139 | Funding: ACIAR  Budget: AUD 2.72M

Duration: Jan 2023 – Dec 2027

Partners: CSIRO • Manaaki Whenua NZ • SPC • USP • MAFF Tonga • MoA Fiji • MALFFB Vanuatu
Countries: Fiji • Samoa • Tonga • Vanuatu

Programme: Soil & Land Management

MORDI Tonga ensures fast and effective responses to meet the immediate shelter, WASH, food security, and livelihood needs of disaster-affected communities. We invest in research and development to strengthen preparedness, response, and recovery efforts, building community resilience to future shocks.

Key focus areas:

1. IDA & Planning

2. Infrastructure

3. WASH

4. Food systems

MORDI Tonga is building a stronger, more financially self-sufficient organization. By expanding social enterprise initiatives, we aim to increase independence, flexibility, and long-term sustainability in delivering development outcomes for Tonga’s rural communities.

MORDI Tonga Trust integrates key cross-cutting issues into all its work by promoting gender equality, supporting inclusive development for vulnerable groups, strengthening community resilience to climate change, and improving nutrition through better food security and sustainable practices. This holistic approach helps rural families build dignity, resilience, and long-term wellbeing.