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Enhanced fruit systems for Tonga and Samoa (Phase 2): Community based citrus production - Final report
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Enhanced fruit systems for Tonga and Samoa (Phase 2): Community based citrus production - Final report

Steven Underhill, Soane Patolo, Seeseei Molimau-Samasoni, John Chapman, Tevita Tukia, Sarah J Burkhart and Linda Wess
Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)
2026
url
https://www.aciar.gov.au/project/hort-2019-165View
WebpageProject Website

Abstract

Horticultural crop growth and development Pacific Peoples development and wellbeing capacity development food security food supply chains gender poverty reduction women's empowerment
Tonga and Samoa have one of the highest rates of obesity in the world, with dietary-related non-communicable diseases (DR-NCDs) the leading cause of mortality (Dodd et al., 2019; Savage et al., 2019). Pacific Island countries have introduced initiatives and policies promoting healthy eating. However, consumer access to affordable fruit and vegetables in Tonga and Samoa can be challenging, potentially undermining the effectiveness of these initiatives (Ma’asi and Francis, 2020). Low horticultural productivity, limited crop diversity, postharvest loss, and highly seasonal production, often collectively limit domestic supply (Evans, 2003; Underhill, et al., 2019; 2020). While importation of fresh fruits and vegetables can help offset domestic supply constraints, high commodity prices2 create economic disincentives for diet change (Snowdon et al., 2011). There is wide recognition of the need to enhance domestic horticultural production in Tonga and Samoa. Tonga and Samoa’s agriculture-nutrition-income nexus has become widely cited in Pacific health and development literature (Pye-Smith, 2017). If Tonga and Samoa are to develop effective anti-obesity and DR-NCD remediation, there is a critical need to also increase the availability of locally grown affordable, healthy, and safe fresh fruits and vegetables. Fruit industry development is a priority in Tonga and Samoa, reflecting very low domestic fruit production (Anon., 2016 ab) and strong local food preference compatibility3 (Singh et al., 2019; Veatupu et al., 2019). In 2006, the Government of Tonga approached ACIAR for assistance to increase domestic fruit production. An ACIAR-funded feasibility study (HORT/2006/108) highlighted the critical need for new planting material and limited local agronomic knowledge. A subsequent SPCled project (PC/2012/049) imported new tropical fruit species and initiated institutional capacity building. Unfortunately, this project achieved inconsistent impact, with the introduced fruit species proving unfamiliar to local consumers, or too difficult to grow or propagate. HORT/2014/077, alternatively focussed on citrus. Citrus was selected because it is a diabetic diet compatible fruit, it is already widely consumed by Polynesians therefore compatible with strong local dietary preference4, and is harvested in the critical off-season period (April to August) when access to affordable locally grown fruits in Tonga and Samoa is most limited. There is already a high level of domestic consumer demand for citrus in Samoa and Tonga, demonstrating local food choice compatibility. Citrus has the added advantage of a long postharvest shelf-life and is relatively tolerant of Pacific smallholder farmer practice and inter-island transport logistics. HORT/2014/077 successfully established five citrus orchards in Tonga, importing +400 grafted citrus trees involving a range of cultivar types in 2016/2017. In early 2020, the Tongan Government self-funded the further importation of +1500 grafted citrus trees. HORT/2014/077 did not include Samoan citrus support, with targeted citrus industry assistance initiated by HORT/2019/165. HORT/2019/165 commenced in 2022 with the aim of further supporting the citrus orchards established in Tonga by HORT/2014/077. HORT/2019/165 was also expanded to include new work to support the citrus industry in Samoa (based on a series of targeted interventions).

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