Ministry of Agriculture

Tonga’s MAFF clarifies partnership with Beijing Machinery Repair Company Ltd

The ministry clarified this in a statement.

The statement said tractors donated by the Government of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Tonga were given to MAFF, and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Tonga who handed these tractors to the Government of Tonga, has nothing to do with MAFF’s decision on how to use the tractors.

Tonga's Ministry of Agriculture frustrated with watermelon shipment cancellation

On 4 December, New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries issued a temporary approval permit, lifting a ban on Tonga's watermelons that was put in place two months ago after fruit fly larvae was detected at the borders.

The first 10 consignments of melons was scheduled to leave Tonga for New Zealand on 5 December.

However, the trucking companies that were organised by the ministry to transport the melons to the wharf in Tongatapu did not arrive.

Tonga to raise six million chickens

Minister Lord Tu’ilakepa made the announcement in Parliament last week.

He said in order to feed these six million chickens, the ministry has to grow 500 acres of corn.

While the main objective of the project is to produce electricity from chicken manure, it will also reduce Tonga’s importation of frozen chicken for consumption.

Lord Tu’ilakepa also highlighted that Tongans consumed 302,000 kilos of imported chicken every week.