Supporting a Diverse and Sustainable Fruit Industry in Tonga

Supporting a Diverse and Sustainable Fruit Industry in Tonga

The overall aim of this project is to advance and refine ACIAR’s research-for- development strategy in support of fruit industry development in Tonga (pending the launch of a full-scale regional project, involving Tonga, in FY 2015/16). This will include refining the recommended species and products identified in a previous ACIAR project PC/2012/049. The review will be based on market and commercial considerations which will include the assessment of possible options which lead to an enhancement of smallholder participation in industry development so that livelihood benefits associated with the project can be maximized whilst ensuring that proposed co-development of a fruit enterprise is commercial viability and compatible with the Tongan National Strategy to Prevent and Control NCD (2010-2015).

Three key objectives are to: Objective 1: Evaluate the commercial viability and likely agribusiness potential of priority fruit species identified in PC/2012/049. Objective 2: Assess possible options for enhanced smallholder participation in industry development that maximise livelihood benefits. Objective 3: Undertake a due-diligence assessment relating to proposed support for fruit processing enterprises. The benefits of developing a commercial Tongan fruit industry are multifaceted, including benefits to health, economic inclusion and economic resilience (through improved food security and agricultural diversification). However, in seeking to realise these benefits, consideration of their inter-relationships as well as potential conflicts is warranted. In reviewing and refining crop priorities, we will adopt a matrix-based evaluation approach that considers economic, pro-health and pro-livelihood benefits. For example, in seeking to increase overall domestic production the focus should be on out-of-season fruit supply that improves overall product accessible rather than adding to current highly seasonal supply spikes. The critical element here is a multifaceted assessment to refine priority species incorporating, socio-economic, diversification, resilience, and health benefits.

The following report seeks to address the second objective in part. The report presents information compiled during discussions with project partners, a community workshop held at ‘Eua (17th March 2015),in addition to a project development meeting held on 18th March 2015 in ‘Eua.

The main findings and recommendations from these discussions is presented herein, in addition to the raw data compiled during the community workshop.

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