The HDWC are part of Tonga’s delegation to Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) New Zealand’s Pasifika Business Market hosting more than 35 companies from 11 Pacific island countries at Auckland’s Pasifika Festival from 24-25 March. But getting the taro to Pasifika will be an achievement and a poignant moment for the Council whose district was worst hit by Cyclone Gita last month.
Maile Tanigitau and Kapeli Lanumata will represent Hahake District despite the area sustaining significant damage.
Ulamila Lutu is currently attending the inaugural World Congress on Root and Tuber Crops in Nanning, Guangxi, which brings together around 750 key industry stakeholders including farmers, researchers, the private sector and donor agencies.
Tonga's agriculture ministry says about 80 percent of locally-grown taro crops will be damaged by this year's El Niño weather pattern.
Acting Director Dr Viliami Manu says it is already evident that crop yields are decreasing, and he is encouraging farmers to grow smaller quantities of taro so they can be more easily watered.
