COOK ISLANDS EXPERIENCE

REGIONAL POLICY BRIEFING NO. 9

LE LAGON RESORTVANUATU

OCTOBER 31 – 2 NOVEMBER 2012

Vulnerability Assessments for Adapting Agriculture to

Climate Change

COOK ISLANDS

15 islands, 2 Groups : North and South2.4million sq km of EEZLies in the centre of the Polynesian triangle flanked

by Fiji, Tahiti, Hawaii and New ZealandSelf Governing in free association with New

ZealandPopulation : 17,791 (2011) Rarotonga : 13,097Tourism : 112,461 visitors (Sep 2012) 18 flights per

weekAgriculture : Contribution to GDP – less than 4%Arable Land : Total 6,757.9ha Use : < 1,000ha

Vulnerability of Agriculture

Policy shifts Decline in budgetary support – priorities shifted,

competing priorities Mobility of population – labour shortage Land availability Cost of production

Climate Change Crop variety suffering - drought, flooding, saltwater

intrusion, pest and diseases Increase in incidence of pests and diseases on crops

due to changing weather

National : Vulnerability to Opportunity

No Climate Change Policy – BUT BUT BUT!! The Climate Change Platform Climate Change Office National Sustainable Development Plan 2011-2015

Unlocking our potential in Agriculture through increased production and revitalising through high value crops

Identify trade opportunities V&A’s in 2nd National Communications Report SRIC – CC : Strengthening the Resilience of Island Communities

($5million) Adaptation Fund implemented through UNDP Joint National Adaptation Plan for DRM and Climate Change

Adaptation Climate resilient crops for food security

Financing : CIGOV as National Implementing Entity

Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change

Policy Get involved in national committees, project implementation,

share expertise Support Regional shift in development on climate change and

agricultural development (SPC) International support for capacity and policy development (FAO)

Crop Research and Development Regional shift in action – 5 years ago (DRM/DRR) Introduced climate resistant/tolerant crops SPC centre for Pacific Crops in Fiji – plant genetic resource

training Management plans : land, water, labour Action plans : addressing what can be done successfully e.g.

value adding (agri-processing)

Shift Happens!!

Meitaki MaataThank u tumas