The Center of Excellence for Atoll Agriculture Research and Development in the Pacific will become a focal point for Pacific scientists working on the development of technologies to help atoll farmers increase their productivity.
Producing food crops on an atoll island requires perseverance.
Nil or almost no land resources coupled with infertile coralline soils and long spells of dry weather make any form of agriculture very difficult.
As a result, atoll communities face problems in maintaining food security and eating a balanced diet.
Technologies to increase food crop production will improve local food supplies and nutrition.
Other benefits will include more market opportunities for farmers and higher incomes.
For a number of years, governments of atoll countries and territories have asked regional and international organizations working in the fields of agriculture and forestry to give special attention to their research and development needs.
In their 2007 Vava’u Communiqué, Pacific Islands Forum Leaders called on Secretariat of the Pacific Community to develop a new agriculture and forestry initiative with a focus on atoll agriculture.
The new center has been established in response to these requests.
“SPC is proud to partner with the government of Kiribati and the International Fund for Agricultural Development in establishing this center of excellence,” said ‘Aleki Sisifa, director of SPC’s land resources division
The centre is the beginning of a process that we hope will attract more assistance from the international community for research and development of improved technology and best practice for agriculture and agro forestry on atoll islands, including the high islands of the region.”
An R&D program has been developed and agreed on between the main partners — the Kiribati government, IFAD and SPC — and a memorandum of understanding will be signed.
IFAD will provide most of the financing and SPC will manage the program, provide technical backup and organize equipment and supplies.
A program coordinator has been recruited to coordinate and implement the programmed.
The Kiribati government is providing the facilities and from time to time will contribute labor, materials and supplies, as required.
