NZ gives $10 million for the conservation of Pacific crop seeds

NZ gives $10 million for the conservation of Pacific crop seeds

By Rashika Kumar
12/07/2022
New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern. [Image: New Zealand High Commission, Suva/Facebook]

Farmers can now expect to get improved access to seeds and planting materials that will maintain and hopefully increase their yields despite the impacts of climate change as the New Zealand Government has provided $10 million for the conservation of Pacific crop seeds.

The money will be allocated to the Fiji based Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees, which since 1998 has been conserving the region’s collections of 17 crops including yam, coconut and 70 percent of the world’s taro varieties.

New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern says climate change is a major threat to Pacific agriculture, putting our region’s food security at risk and this investment will increase the Pacific’s resilience by ensuring the region’s seeds and plant materials are preserved and protected for future generations.

She says we are now seeing the knock on effect of climate change with more extreme weather events like cyclones and droughts leading to outbreaks of pests and diseases that can be devastating for food production.

Ardern further says climate change and extreme weather are impacting crop yields and reducing supply which exacerbates food insecurity and increases food prices.

She says this is an investment in the long-term food security of our region.

The New Zealand Prime Minister adds the Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees plays a vital role in conserving and facilitating access to the region’s plant genetic resources.

She adds the investment will help the Centre to scale up its work, which also includes conducting research into developing new climate resilient varieties of crops that are resistant to drought, pests and diseases.

Ardern says another important function of the Centre is the distribution of seeds and plant materials to farmers across the region, and part of this additional funding will also be utilised to improve those distribution systems.

NZ Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta says the CePaCT support is made possible through Aotearoa New Zealand’s $1.3 billion climate financing commitment for 2022–2025, half of which is dedicated to mitigation and adaptation measures in the Pacific” said.

Mahuta adds it will see $5 million provided to CePaCT directly and $5 million provided to the Global Crop Diversity Trust, for the world’s plant genebanks.

$5 million provided to the Global Crop Diversity Trust Endowment Fund (the funding mechanism for the world’s plant genebanks) will ensure ongoing funding to CePaCT from trust income in perpetuity.

FEATURE NEWS
2025/2026 National Budget is for security, stability and the next generation - Tikoduadua
Minister for Defence Pio Tikoduadua has shown his full support to the 2025/2026 National Budget and says that this budget is for security, stability a...
4 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Pillay says it's a candy budget - looks sweet and sounds generous, but once it's spent, nothing is left
This is not a developed budget it is a destructive one that is built not to improve everyday life, but to give with one hand and take back with the ...
3 hours ago

Kiran says more than 107,000 people set to benefit through key social welfare programs
More than 107,000 people are set to benefit from this National Budget through key social welfare programs like the Family Assistance Scheme, Social ...
3 hours ago

Sharma raises concerns over rising debt, youth struggles, and inconsistent economic policies
Opposition MP, Rinesh Sharma has criticized the 2025/2026 National Budget, raising concerns over rising debt levels, youth challenges with tertiary ...
4 hours ago

Taulepa grateful to make his grandfather proud mixing the kava for Tui Nayau installation
Saiasi Taulepa was emotional after the installation of Tui Nayau, Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara as he was chosen from his family to mix the traditional ...
7 hours ago

This Government has borrowed more compared to the Bainimarama government - Kumar
In just two years, this government borrowed almost $2.6 billion, almost as much as what the Banimarama government borrowed over 12 years, and this is ...
8 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Professor Prasad on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The show will focus on the 2025/2026 National Budget.
7 days ago

Tui Nayau and Tui Lau Installation
The ceremony for the installation of the Tui Nayau Sau ni Vanua o Lau will be held tomorrow, while the installation ceremony of the Tui Lau will be held in Tubou on Thursday.
9 days ago

CFL 40th Birthday
CFL’s 40th Anniversary celebrations to culminate with free concert at Albert Park on ...
11 days ago

TOP