Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry 2025 Launches in Tonga with Royal Endorsement and a Call for Sustainable Innovation
NUKUʻALOFA, TONGA – May 26, 2025 — With fanfare, purpose, and a deep sense of regional solidarity, the 4th Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry (PWAF) officially opened today in Nukuʻalofa, Tonga. Her Royal Highness Princess Sinaitakala Tukuʻaho presided over the launch, joined by Karen Mapusua, Director of the Pacific Community’s (SPC) Land Resources Division, to mark the start of a week-long celebration of innovation, sustainability, and resilience in Pacific agriculture and forestry.
Touring a diverse range of exhibition stalls, the Crown Princess witnessed first-hand the dynamic solutions Pacific communities are championing to regenerate ecosystems, increase productivity, and build resilience against climate change.
One of the standout exhibitors was the Tonga National Youth Congress (TNYC)—a key member of the Pacific’s Civil Society and Farmer Organisations Taskforce (CSFT)—which impressed guests with its vibrant showcase of locally made organic products. These included pure virgin coconut oil, vi jam, coconut soap, and a standout collection of organic vanilla extract and paste, sourced from vanilla beans grown by the Tonga Organic Association (TOA) and other dedicated organic farmers across the country.
Women’s development groups, such as Fo‘i Tuluta, Mahuleva Organic Learning Farm Centre, and the Organic Farmers Network, were also prominently featured, highlighting the essential role of women in Tonga’s agriculture sector. Their contributions reinforce the event’s broader themes of community-led development, indigenous knowledge systems, and farmer-led innovation.
“This event is not just a celebration; it’s a statement,” said one exhibitor. “It proves that grassroots ingenuity, especially when rooted in tradition and powered by youth and women, can lead us toward a truly sustainable Pacific future.”
A Crucial Dialogue on the Horizon
A highlight of the programme will be the official signing ceremony between PFO and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to launch the Climate Resilient Farming in the Pacific Islands Project (2025–2028). The partnership represents a major milestone in building climate-smart, farmer-driven solutions across the region.
A New Standard for Pacific Organic Excellence
PWAF2025 has set the tone for a week of action, dialogue, and discovery, showcasing the Pacific’s growing role as a leader in organic innovation and regenerative agriculture. From royal endorsement to grassroots ingenuity, the event is a powerful reminder of what is possible when tradition and innovation walk hand in hand.
As the Pacific region faces growing climate challenges, events like PWAF offer not just hope, but tangible solutions born from within the islands themselves.
