A new steel-framed nursery has been launched in Popua aiming to strengthen food security and empower rural women.
Live & Learn Tonga has inaugurated its first community steel-framed nursery in Popua, marking a significant step towards enhancing local food resilience and supporting women’s economic empowerment in the Pacific region.
The nursery is co-funded by the European Union under the NDICI Agreement and the British High Commission through the UK Development Program, as part of the Climate and WASH Resilience Community Project.
His Excellency Philip Malone stated, “The UK is proud to support this project, reaffirming the UK’s commitment to supporting Tonga’s development priorities and hopes that the Popua Community and Tongatapu 4 Constituency benefit greatly from this project.”
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has also provided 26 sets of home garden equipment to the communities of Popua and Patangata, complementing the initiative by fostering synergy among various development partners.
The program aims to empower women in agriculture by integrating various project aspects. The community nursery will supply seedlings and trees, while Live & Learn will offer training and operational support during the implementation period to ensure the initiative’s sustainability.
Two more community nurseries are planned in the coming weeks, with the goal of enabling communities to lead efforts in enhancing food resilience and promoting healthier diets. These nurseries will allow communities to grow and supply their own seedlings and trees, particularly benefiting vulnerable families, including those with disabilities.
This initiative aligns with Tonga’s broader efforts to transform its food system through sustainable practices, as seen in the launch of Organic Learning Farms under the Pacific Organic Learning Farms Network (POLFN).
The successful launch of the Popua nursery reflects a collaborative effort among development partners, government bodies, and the local community to promote food security and empower women in agriculture.
