Growing Stronger Together: Empowering Community-Based Fruit Production

15 Dec Growing Stronger Together: Empowering Community-Based Fruit Production

For many years in Tonga, the community has long relied on fruit production as a means of sustenance. The lush tropical climate provides ideal conditions for a variety of fruit trees to thrive, including mangoes, papayas, and bananas. However, in recent years, the community has faced a number of challenges that have impacted the fruit production, including changing weather patterns and the introduction of new pests and diseases.

To address these challenges and revitalize the fruit production at a community level, the Tongan government has initiated a community-based fruit production program in collaboration with ACIAR, USC, and Nishi Trading. The program aims to support local farmers and encourage the use of sustainable farming practices, while also providing economic opportunities for the community.

As part of the program, MORDI Tonga has partnered with local stakeholders to undertake grafting workshops. Grafting is a technique used to combine two different plants into one, and can be used to create stronger and more resilient fruit trees. The workshops will provide an opportunity for many to learn about different grafting techniques and to experiment with various rootstock types.

We were fortunate enough to bring on board Mr Nareshwar Prasad of Fiji with 30+ years of experience with citrus. A two day workshop held last week engaged Citrus growers, Agricultural students, government agencies as well as Women’s community groups.

“You have been busy growing some beautiful, healthy mixed citrus orchards in Tonga across several sites here on Tongatapu and on the island of ‘Eua. Now in order to maintain the genetics of these varieties we need to establish a practice of propagation. That’s where I come in, so I am going to share with you what I know, the best I can” Mr Prasad shares.

“I’m very pleased I was invited to join in this workshop today. I take care of the citrus at Nishi Trading and today I’ve learned for the first time that grafting onto existing rootstock can provide several benefits even aid in production of the plants” says Mr. Sione Mo’onia of Nishi Trading.

“I am delighted for this training to take place as I have always been such a huge advocate for grafting. After all these years I too am learning new techniques and seeing how grafting has improved over the years. In the past we would use whatever material was available, so it’s very uplifting to see the right tools being used. As a representative of a government agency, we should take lead on programs such as this – if we make trainings such as this engaging and interactive as it is it becomes easier for community members to join and pick up lessons much quicker”, Mr. Bruce Filiai of the Ministry of Agriculture, Foods and Forestry shares with us.

“Today’s workshop was great for us all to finally see in person grafting techniques. We also get to learn what types of citrus stocks are great to grow in Tonga that can withstand changing climates and are pest and disease resilient. We were surprised visiting Nishi’s citrus that it is possible for us to grow citrus we export here in Tonga. We learned about pruning, propagation, transplanting. We’ve learned theory but today has been enlightening as a teacher and for our students to see in real world the manifestation of theory in practice. I only hope that we can follow the growth of this project. There is so much opportunity for us in Tonga in citrus if we are empowered to learned more”, Mr Siaosi Schaumkel – Agricultural teacher of Tonga National University.

“The things I’ve learned here today I know for sure I am able to share with others. My peers and I that are here today are grateful for the experience to learn from an expert such as Mr Prasad. I want to encourage the rest of the youth to join the agricultural sector. This is our future and we need to be able to plan for our future and for us to share with young what we have learned. Especially in light of climate change it is very important for us to conserve and preserve our natural resources such as trees.” A very powerful message shared with School of Agriculture student Ms. Muimuinoa Laumelangi of Tonga National University.

Overall, the community-based fruit production program in Tonga is a shining example of how government and local stakeholders can work together to build a more sustainable and resilient agricultural industry. Through the use of innovative techniques like grafting and the promotion of local resources, the program is helping to improve the lives and livelihoods of farmers in Tonga.