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Day 2 of the Agriculture - Climate Change Forum at USP

9/7/2015

During the discussion period Gail Townsend, Ministry of Education, informed participants of exciting new curriculum developments that will assist young Cook Islands to see agriculture (especially horticulture) as a viable career path and business opportunity.

Also during the discussion the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Kiriau Turepu, noted that on both nights many issues had been discussed, but there is a need to give more attention to the solutions and the required actions. He also noted the need for a special, in-depth discussion on land use policy, with all stakeholders participating.

Participants benefitted from the well-informed presentation by eight speakers.

Brian Tairea was the keynote speaker. He discussed the many threats to agriculture in the Cook Islands, including pests and diseases and how their significance is affected by climate change.

Representing the Growers' Association, Teava Iro noted the current high dependency on fertilisers and sprays, and advocated for more sustainable approaches, including the use of compost as a soil conditioner.

Othenial Tangianau shared his thoughts on forestry as a means to reducing soil erosion, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages, including in a changing climate when water availability may be reduced.

Tiria Tiria provided an overview of the links between livestock farming and climate change.

The potential for climate change to increase the number, distribution and impact of invasive species in the Cook Islands was discussed by Elizabeth Munro. She also described the many ways to prevent and manage invasive species.

The many challenges of providing effective quarantine services for the Cook Islands were outlined by Ngatoko Ngatoko.

Arona Ngari of the Cook Islands Meteorological Service discussed the importance of information for the successful management of the impacts of climate change on agriculture.

Maria Tuoro highlighted the importance of a comprehensive and widely supported land use policy for managing the effects of climate change and the many other pressures on land resources.

Mata Hetland and John Hay chaired the two nights of the Forum on Agriculture in the Face of Climate Change.

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USP Forum - Agriculture in the Face of Climate Change

8/7/2015

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Climate change affects agriculture in a number of ways, including changes in average and extreme temperatures, rainfall, the intensity of climate events (e.g., cyclones); changes in pests and diseases; and changes in sea level causing salt water intrusion into low lying agriculture areas.

In recent decades, changes in rainfall distribution have begun to influence the availability of various crops in the Cook Islands. This has implications, particularly in the outer islands, for food security and economic viability.

To mark the 50th anniversary of Cook Islands’ independence, and the 40th anniversary of the University of the South Pacific (USP) Cook Islands’ campus, Climate Change Cook Islands and the USP is co-hosting two forums on climate change and the implications for agriculture in the Cook Islands. These forums focus on concerns and actions for islands in the northern and southern groups, incuding Rarotonga.

The first forum was held on Tuesday, 7th July 2015 at the USP Cook Islands' Campus.

The forum was chaired by Mata Hetland and John Hay.

Ana Tiraa, Director of Climate Change Cook Islands, welcomed participants to the forum.

Patrick Arioka, Director of the Ministry of Agriculture's Department of Policy, Planning and Projects, was the keynote speaker.

Patrick Arioka paid tribute to the achievements of the many pioneers of the earlier years of Cook Islands' agriculture, when it was the backbone of the Nation. He also invited participants to enjoy and acknowledge the good work of those who have used methodology approaches with strong systematic results, based on evidence.

Other speakers in the first of the two forums are shown below.