Tonga Hosts Launch of Major Pacific Agriculture Initiative to Tackle Climate and Food Challenges
Nukuʻalofa, Tonga – 29 May 2025:
Tonga this week became the proud host of a major regional milestone, with the official launch of the Pacific Vision for Adapted Crops and Soil (PACS) during the 4th Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry held in Nukuʻalofa.
The initiative aims to help Pacific countries—including Tonga—grow more nutritious crops that can survive changing climate conditions, while also improving soil health for future generations. The ultimate goal is to ensure Pacific communities have better food security and stronger resilience to climate change.
PACS is based on the global movement known as the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils (VACS) and is being led in the Pacific by the Pacific Community (SPC). The program’s first phase is backed by AUD 4 million from the Australian Government, with support from Australian research institutions like CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology.
Ms Karen Mapusua, Director of SPC’s Land Resources Division, thanked Australia for supporting the Pacific-led approach, saying it brings together countries with a shared goal of protecting their people and their lands.
“Thank you to the Government of Australia for stepping in and funding this first phase,” she said. “The goal is to strengthen our countries and our people in the face of climate change and to be more resilient and have healthy future generations.”
Over the next two years, the PACS initiative will work with Pacific countries to identify about 20 crops that are most useful for adapting to climate change and improving health and soil quality. Three pilot countries will be chosen—and Tonga is one of the eligible countries—through an Expression of Interest process.
In this pilot phase, countries will:
Identify important “opportunity crops” that are rich in nutrients and good for local soils.
Study how land degradation and climate change (through to 2050) could affect those crops.
Mobilise funding and technical knowledge to develop those crops and share lessons across the Pacific.
All SPC member countries, including Tonga, will be part of a new knowledge-sharing community to make sure everyone benefits from the research and experience gained.
The launch of PACS in Tonga is seen as a strong signal of the country’s commitment to leading in climate and agricultural solutions for the region. As Pacific islands face increasing climate threats, initiatives like PACS provide real, home-grown answers to protect land, food, and livelihoods.
