Local experts needed to battle bugs
Scholarship opportunity to train up Cook Islands scientists to fight the invasive pests that will thrive in warmer climate. Extreme temperatures will change the type of invasive pests that can survive and proliferate in Cook Islands, leading to a broader range of crop diseases, officials warn. Agriculture Secretary Temarama Anguna-Kamana is encouraging Cook Islanders to […]
Proposed Agriculture Bill 2020
Proposed Agriculture Bill 2020 The proposed Agriculture Bill 2020 was tabled with Cabinet on the 15 and 16th June 2020. Following a healthy debate, the Bill was recommended to a Select Committee for further consultation with the public. The Ministry of Agriculture welcomes this decision as it presents another opportunity to seek the views of […]
Anguna-Kamana: ‘Restore agriculture’s status’
Anguna-Kamana: ‘Restore agriculture’s status’ Women and young people must be included in farming work during the Covid-19 pandemic, officials say. Secretary of Agriculture Temarama Anguna-Kamana spoke by video-link to an international forum, the Local2030 Islands Network. The agriculture ministry must support private farmers, she said afterwards. “But we must also include our women, our youth, […]
Gardeners grassed out
Gardeners grassed out The Ministry of Agriculture is encouraging the public to purchase vetiver plants to help cultivate and stabilize the soil on their properties. Agriculture secretary Temarama Anguna-Kamana said they had more than 130 plants selling at $5 a bag. The grass is found on Rarotonga and the islands of Mangaia and Atiu. “The […]
Slug and Snail Management
Snails and slugs are a large problem for vegetable growers as they are fast breeding and attack most plants. They enjoy wet weather and often come out at night. Brown Leatherback slug Land Snail MANAGEMENT REMOVE HIDING PLACES […]
Nurturing the next generation of farmers
Nurturing the next generation of farmers Apii Takitumu has built raised garden beds to incorporate agriculture learning into the school curriculum. The school says their village and horticulture skills are just as important as reading, writing and maths. It says growing allows them to apply their reading, writing and maths skills outside the classroom. The […]
Life begins the day you start a garden – Chinese proverb
Life begins the day you start a garden – Chinese proverb There is a real excitement as Cook Islands communities dig and refresh their fruit and vege gardens – but also the hope that we may once more sell them to visitors and overseas. Nga Kino was not a farmer all his life. He used […]
African Swine Fever
What you sow, so shall you reap
What you sow, so shall you reap Agriculture officals have distributed seedlings to hundreds of Cook Islands households. Secretary for Agriculture Temarama Anguna-Kamana said they had given them out to 351 households on Rarotonga alone, by April 24. Outer islands had also been provided seeds. The agriculture response plan was announced on April 12, she […]
FALL ARMYWORM
FALL ARMYWORM Spodoptera frugiperda The Fall Armyworm is in fact not a worm, but a caterpillar in its larval stage. It will then turn into a brown moth with a wing-span of approximately 4cm. The name comes from the way the larvae gather together in large numbers on leaves when feeding. They can be easily […]