Climate is changing. Food and agriculture must too
10th October 2016..is the theme for World Food Day (Oct.16th) this year. World Food Day is a day of action against hunger. On October 16, people around the world come together to declare their commitment to eradicate hunger in our lifetime. Because when it comes to hunger, the only acceptable number in the world is zero.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations the increase in Climate change is a fundamental threat to global food security, sustainable development, and poverty eradication.
To put it simply, if our Agriculture, Forest and Fishery sectors, do not adapt to the impacts of climate change and improve the resilience of food production systems, hunger could well be an issue even in Tonga in the not so far future…
The Government of Tonga understands this fact very well. In July this year in Rome, the Minister of MAFFF(the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Forest and Fisheries) Hon. SemisiTauelangiFakahau attended FAO’s 32nd session on Fisheries where Tonga; amongst 34 other countries agreed to the Port State Measures agreement, the world’s first international treaty specifically aimed at tackling Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Access to nutritious food like clean drinking water is the right of every person globally. Having said that, not all Tongans are able to avail healthy foods. So how are we as a nation going to work on this issue?
Goal 3, Outcome 2 of the HalaFononga – The National Strategy For Prevention And Control Of NCDs is dedicated to this theme, and we’d like to get you more aware about it through the partnership of MAFFF and Tonga health Promotion Foundation this week.
Hear about Tonga’s plans to combat climate change and it’s effects on the nations’ food and agriculture from the people who are appointed advocates to enhance the food and agriculture systems in Tonga. An in depth conversation with TevitaFaka’osi, Acting CEO – Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forests and Tu’ikolongahauHalafihi, CEO Fisheries; moderated by the CEO of TongaHealth Mrs. SeiniFilai awaits you….
Tonight, the 10th of October, 2016
8pm On Dulous Broadcasting Network / D.B.N.
The planning & implementation of the HalaFononga (2015-2020) is based on a strong, unified multi-sectorial approach to strengthen Tonga’s fight against the significantly high morbidity and mortality rate on one hand; and the resulting huge economic burden on the other; amongst other factors; and is funded by the Governments of Tonga and Australia.
Tonga Mo’uilelei! Mo’uiLelei, Mo’uiFiefia!
Issued by Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forests, Ministry of Fisheries and TongaHealth.