ALM UNDP

Summary:

Under the Regional Programmes for Food Security (RPFS) sheep farming was introduced to Tongan. The main activities included: selecting and preparing facilities for the stock; inspection of the breeding stock in Fiji; procurement and shipment of sheep to Tonga; securing breeding lines and maintaining breeding records; conducting training on sheep husbandry; and developing criteria for distributing of the stock. A honey bee project is also recently been completed. The project provided equipment and training for the development of small private apiaries. Tonga has further benefited from the Telefood Programme of FAO. Since its inception in 1997, there have been 26 Telefood projects approved and implemented. Emergency assistance has also been provided to Tonga following Cyclones Cora (1999) and Heta (2004). The focus is the introduction of sheep farming to diversify local meat supply and reduce import dependence and to enhance food security and healthy diet for Tongans