Free chicks to help Tongans recover from cyclone

Tonga's Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Food is handing out nearly two thousand baby chickens as part of its Cyclone Gita recovery programme.

Kaniva News reported the government was giving 10 free chicks to each family signed up to the programme.

The scheme was providing the baby chickens in an effort to encourage good nutrition and reduce Tongans' reliance on unhealthy imported foods.

The Ministry handed out 1,890 chicks last week and hopes to issue 40,000 infant poultry by the end of the year.