Tamakautoga Vegetable Garden Project

An elder from the village, blessing the produce before harvesting

This is one of the projects that is linked under the current Food Security and Sustainable Livelihoods Program (FSSLP) for Niue on farming Systems Development. It is fully funded by FAO under Telefood (TFD 10/NIU/004) as a contribution to food security and the increasing of food production for peoples health and nutrition. 

The original concept of the project was to develop a community garden that is 30m x 30m in size, but this was changed after a discussion between the DAFF staff with representatives from the village of Tamakautoga. It was then decided that the garden would split into two gardens with a 10m x 15m size and to be located at different areas of the village. 

The clearance of the land commenced in November 2012 and soon after the construction of the two gardens started; given time the garden was planted in late August 2013 with the DAFF staff assisting the community with the processes to be carried out. This was a good initiative as seen with the community having to work together to benefit their families in terms of supplying vegetables for home consumption and also it can be used in the near future as an avenue for families in the community to earn income through the selling of their produce. 

Agriculture World Food Day 2013

Agricultural produce from farmers (Photo by Terry Mokoia)

On the 16th of October of every year; countries around the world including Niue commemorate World Food Day. This was a good time to reflect on how fortunate some countries are in terms of food and nutritional security compared to other countries around the world that are facing poverty. The theme of the day highlights as: "Sustainable Food Systems for Food Security and Nutrition", Healthy People depend on Healthy Food Systems', 'Ko e tau puhala moua mena kai mitaki kua falanaki ki ai e moui malolo tino tagata'.

The day started off with farmers from all around the island having to bring in their agriculture produce to weigh, and this was done by the staff of DAFF (Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) and the growers association, it was noted successful as it was very wonderful to see farmers with abundant of  agricultural produce. After the weighing of the different agricultural produce, the day didn't end there as the commemoration of the World Food Day was celebrated together with the National Show Day of the island as part of the constitution celebrations and this was carried out by DAFF along with the staff from the Department of Community Affairs. The general public of Niue all gathered at the Niue High School grounds to celebrate both these significant events, people brought in their handicrafts to be displayed, some people put up food stalls and were selling food whereas others were enjoying themselves. One of the major highlight of the day was the visit by His Excellency Lieutenant General the RT Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae, GNZM, QSO and Lady Janine Mateparae from New Zealand for Niue’s 39^th Constitution Celebration. 

DAFF staff weighing crops (Photo by Terry Mokoia)

The official opening of the National Show Day 2013 was opened by remarks from the Department of Community Affairs, followed by the World Food Day speech presented by Hon. Pokotoa Sipeli (minister for agriculture, forestry and fisheries) and the opening speech by Hon. Joan Viliamu (minister for Community Affairs) followed by entertainments from the Niue Primary students, Niuean group from New Zealand and also the Kapa Haka group from New Zealand. The day was concluded with cutlural and tabloid sports events organised and coordinated by the staff of DAFF and Taoga Niue. The cultural sports was facilitated by the Taoga Niue team and it includes; Ta tika (tika throwing), weaving demonstration, tolo afi (fire making), basket weaving and coconut husking. And the tabloid sports events was facilitated by DAFF staff which had; slippery pole, three legged race, tug of war and the main one of the day was the coconut obstacle.  At the end of the day everyone had good fun and great laughter celebrating the Agriculture World Food Day and the National Show day of Niue 2013.