Fisheries and Agricultural Sector to Receive Top$26 Million from World Bank

World Bank will fund a USD$13 million project or equivalent to about $26 million to ensure food security in Tonga.

It is part of the national development plan of the agricultural and fisheries sectors.

Speaking in a Radio and Televised program, Minister of Agriculture, Food, Forestry and Fisheries Hon. Semisi Fakahau said, this is part of the development plan of both sectors for next year.

Tonga has submitted their plans to the World Bank with the purpose to ensure food security in Tonga in agriculture and fisheries.

World Bank was assisting Tonga in writing our proposals for the development plan.

Also part of next year’s plan is a loan scheme to be made available to fishermen and growers.

The scheme is in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Tonga is expected to lead in initiating the program next May.

Minister of Agriculture said, the scheme will be later launched in the neighbouring Pacific countries.

The initiative is to empower growers and fishermen in developing the nations agricultural and fisheries resources as a whole.