Cook Islands Entrepreneur Develops Hydroponics Greenhouse to Boost Local Food Production
CANBERRA, Australia, Aug 29 2021 (IPS) – Finding ways to be smarter producers of food was a priority in small island developing states (SIDS) before the outbreak of Covid-19. Now the ideas of farmers and entrepreneurs, such as Piri Maao in the Cook Islands, are being avidly sought by governments and development bodies, which are […]
SMART AGRITECH SCHEME
Temarama Anguna-Kamana: Growing the agriculture industry together
OPINION: Organic and sustainable farming systems are major components of growing and developing the agriculture industry, writes Temarama Anguna-Kamana. Two areas of focus of the new Agriculture Bill includes the collection of data or information on agriculture (crop, livestock) production; and ensuring an effective pest monitoring programme to better protect our country from invasive species. Like […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Delays to bold plans for gluten-free kuru flour
Delays to bold plans for gluten-free kuru flour Covid-19 lockdowns have stymied plans to mill gluten-free breadfruit flour for local bakers and for export. Three hundred ma’afala kuru breadfruit tissue cultured plants were to be airfreighted into Rarotonga from Fiji’s Pacific Community lab last month – but the flights were cancelled. Te Tango Enua president […]