Adaptation to Climate Change and contribution of agrobiodiversity to food security. The experience in TUVALU Mr Itaia Lausaveve (Director of Agriculture, Ministry of Natural Resources) Building Resilience to Climate Changes in the Pacific islands 31 st October – 2 nd November, Le Lagon Resort, Vanuatu

Outline Background Challenges / Issues Climate Change Adaptation Measures Contribution of Agrobiodiversity to Food security Other Associated adaptation measures Way forward Acknowledgement

Background Tuvalu; a group of 9 low lying atoll islands Total land area of 26 sq. km Population of over 11,000 Subsistence Agriculture; 60% mostly rural people Economy; fishing licenses, JVs, remittances, trust fund, foreign aid Kakeega II National Development Strategy Impacts of Climate Change top priority

Challenges to Agriculture Food production Climate Change and extreme weather events Longer droughts 2010 – 2011 Sea level rise; coastal erosion, inland flooding, exotic pest and disease introduction, frequency cyclones, tide surges, more stronger trade winds Urban drift Soaring food and fuel prices Urban migration Migration Declining of traditional agriculture

Climate change adpatation measures Introduction of salt tolerant species; root crops, and climate ready crops; bananas and others Pulaka pit bank terracing Pulaka cistern cultivation; poor lands Coconut based integrated farming; promoting crop integration and diversification (a sustainable farming system) to increase traditional food crop production; pandanus, breadfruits, figs, Mangrove restoration and replanting (from overharvesting/handicraft production and firewood Coastal Protection by Tree planting; local tree species and creepers on beachfront Aquaponics; hybrid of hydroponics and aquaculture; water efficiency use (recycle), no compost use but gravel Vegetable Home-gardening

Potential Contribution of Agrobiodiversity to food security Expand planting of underutilized food crops and wild ones, through backyard food production; spinach, wild sweet peas, creeper (portulaca), coconut apple, ferns, wild alocasia (tamu), taproom, polynesian arrow root (masoa), farming crabs in cages and crab “sty” (using roofing sheets), concrete, Aquaculture: raising fish from sea into inland brackish ponds (Nanumaga and Niulakita islands), mainly harvested during island community occasions ex, Nanumaga 2010 harvested fish in ponds to feed 200 delegates to the Christian Church Annual Assembly for 2 weeks Introduction of exotic crop spp; ex – Brazilian spinach, drumstick, chaya, aloevera and others

Advantages of Agrobiodiversity food species Improve production in more farming systemic way, Enhance conservation, high nutritional food values because of their organic nature, Low cost in raising as well adapted to local conditions, good traditional medicinal qualities, Highly priced in domestic market; crabs, fern, Great potential for their climate change readiness given their sustainability in their natural habitat Good livestock supplement feed

Other important Adaptation Measures Compost Toilet demonstrations; water efficiency use, compost production Collective Household Livestock Animal Waste Management Approach demonstration; Biogas production, manure for composting

Way forward Integration Use ongoing adaptation programs as opportunities to promote and implement agro biodiversity activities; ex - NAPA food security program through home gardening Introduction of other adaptable exotic biodiversity spp. Policy development: to promote farming them for their sustainable food production to enhancing food security in the medium and long term to invest in research and development for improving their cultivation practices to increase their production and marketing To carry out documentation for information development, Intellectual Property Rights protection, increase knowledge sharing to improve food security and enhancing sustainable livelihoods of the rural population. Promoting traditional agrioculture through more formal programs ex; vocational trainings maintain in the long term

Acknowledgements Government of Vanuatu for hosting this important conference and hospitality rendered CTA – EU for funding support to enable Tuvalu to participate in this conference Use of copy right photo All regional and international participants for sharing knowledge, information and their important contribution to the outcomes of this conference

Fakafetai lasi / Thank you END