MORDI joins Soil Research team at CSIRO Australia.

15 Dec MORDI joins Soil Research team at CSIRO Australia.

2023/06/15 – In late May, Mr. Tevita Tukia, the COO of Agricultural Development at MORDI, had the honor of being invited to attend a comprehensive soil testing capacity and network building workshop at CSIRO Black Mountain in Canberra. Accompanied by Vunivesi Minoneti and Sione Hui, staff members of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry (MAFF), Mr. Tukia embarked on a fruitful journey to gain invaluable insights into innovative farming systems and foster partnerships in the agricultural sector.

The workshop proved to be a remarkable platform for participants to witness and acquire firsthand knowledge about the cutting-edge farming systems employed in the vibrant city of Canberra. The event encompassed a captivating field day that featured practical sampling preparation, data management strategies, field sampling, captivating crop trials, and demonstrations of Digital Agriculture at the esteemed CSIRO Boorowa Agricultural Research Station.

Amidst engaging presentations, the attendees also had the opportunity to visit the renowned National Soil Archive warehouse, where they were exposed to the extensive collections of soil samples. Essential briefings on Health, Safety, and Environment Management (HSE) were provided, enlightening the participants about the protocols pertaining to sample storage. Moreover, the workshop facilitated crucial meetings with CSIRO, DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade), and DAFF (Federal Department of Agriculture), where valuable discussions on research and development were held, leveraging the collective expertise of the institutions.

Mr. Tukia, profoundly impressed by the utilization of cutting-edge technology at CSIRO, expressed his optimism about the partnership between the Government of Tonga, MORDI and CSIRO, highlighting its potential to significantly enhance the capacity and opportunities for research in the Tongan agricultural sector. He stated, “This workshop has been an enlightening experience for us, as we witnessed firsthand the advanced farming systems and technologies employed by CSIRO. We are excited about the prospects this partnership holds for the development of our agricultural sector and look forward to collaborating closely with CSIRO in research endeavours.”

The soil testing capacity and network building workshop proved to be an enriching experience for all participants, offering unique insights, practical knowledge, and fruitful networking opportunities. The exchange of ideas and experiences between the Tongan delegates and their counterparts in Canberra has paved the way for a promising future in agriculture, where innovation and collaboration will drive sustainable development.