Tonga's agriculture ministry says about 80 percent of locally-grown taro crops will be damaged by this year's El Niño weather pattern.
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.
Dr Manu says yam crops are also expected to be affected, while pumpkins and other kinds of vegetables should be able to stand the heat.
Much of the country is already affected by drought and authorities are expecting things to get worse, with the El Niño system expected to last well into next year.