Dr. Viliami Manu, CEO of Tonga’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Forests, represented Tonga at the “One Country One Priority Product” (OCOP) workshop held in Nanjing, China this week supporting the way forward for sustainable growth in Tonga’s agricultural sector, ensuring food security and rural development.
The OCOP event, organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in partnership with the China-Pacific Island Countries Agriculture Cooperation Center and the Solomon Islands’ Ministry of Agriculture, brought together over 120 officials and experts from eight Pacific Island countries and China.
Participants discussed strategies to advance agricultural value chains for key crops like taro, turmeric, and vanilla, vital for local economies across the Pacific. They explored new technologies, forming partnerships to improve production and market resilience.
The workshop offered training sessions, technical discussions, and visits to agricultural sites in Nanjing, showcasing innovative farming technologies.
The event aimed at regional cooperation in agriculture, aiming for rural revitalization and sustainable production models that benefit Pacific agricultural systems in the long term.
