Australia has pledged an extra AUD3 million to strengthen climate and disaster resilience for Pacific farmers.
Announced at the Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry (PWAF) in Nuku’alofa this week, the funding marks the second phase of the Climate Resilient Farming in Pacific Islands program.
The initiative is coordinated by Pacific Farmer Organisations, a network representing 30 farmer groups across 14 Pacific Island nations and over 100,000 smallholder farmers.
Australia’s High Commissioner to Tonga, Brek Batley, said the program highlighted the country’s commitment to Pacific-led solutions.
“Locally tailored climate solutions are essential for a prosperous, resilient and inclusive agriculture sector across the Pacific,” Mr Batley said.
The first phase of the program, launched in 2024 with an initial AUD1 million, benefited nearly 17,000 farmers in seven countries, including Tonga, Fiji, and Vanuatu.
Pacific Farmer Organisations Executive Director Kyle Stice welcomed the renewed commitment, saying, “This commitment from Australia acknowledges the need for local solutions by local people to address the huge challenges faced by climate change.”
With agriculture the primary livelihood for more than 70% of Pacific Islanders, the sector remains vulnerable to climate extremes and natural disasters.
