Strengthening Sustainable Land and Agroecosystem Management in Tonga - GCP/TON/001/GFF

Strengthening Sustainable Land and Agroecosystem Management in Tonga - GCP/TON/001/GFF

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Year of publication 2024

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 2

Publisher FAO ;

Category Factsheet

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Synopsis (short abstract) Tonga's biodiversity and land resources face serious threats from interconnected issues such as free-roaming livestock, particularly pigs, which damage crops, compact soil, remove vegetation and cause erosion, impacting coastal ecosystems like mangroves and reefs and hindering sustainable land management (SLM). The intensive production of export crops, like squash, has led to deforestation, excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides, and soil degradation, harming adjacent ecosystems like lagoons. Forest clearance for agriculture depletes natural habitats, while changes in traditional fallow systems degrade soil nutrients. These issues are worsened by cultural traditions, economic pressures and population migration to the main island of Tongatapu, causing localized land pressure. Tonga's current policies and regulations are insufficient to address these challenges effectively. Land use planning lacks reliable information on natural resources and tenure, complicating stakeholder negotiations. There is also a lack of capacity among government officials and land managers to implement sustainable practices tailored to local contexts.In response to the above, this project was initiated to create an enabling environment for integrated land and agroecosystem management, aiming to build local capacity for land use planning, strengthen sustainable practices using a Ridge to Reef (R2R) approach, and promote knowledge sharing. Implemented in Tongatapu, ‘Eua, Vava’u, and Ha’ano, these areas were chosen for their potential to deliver replicable lessons and global benefits.

Language English

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