2 Mar 2015

Organic farming touted in fight against climate change

7:41 pm on 2 March 2015

Organic farming is being touted as a key strategy in the fight against climate change in the Pacific.

Food production in Papua New Guinea

Food production in Papua New Guinea Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades

The International Fund for Agricultural Development, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community and the Pacific Organic and Ethical Trade Community are behind the initiative.

A group, including the Fund's Sakiusa Tubuna, has just returned from the Cook Islands where they met with local farmers.

Mr Tubuna says organic farming is being encouraged to reduce the vulnerability of people to both natural hazards and climate change.

"There is a lot of evidence that is coming out now that organic agriculture is more resilient to climate change. They do not use a lot of chemicals, they do not use a lot of imports. They use local materials and they enhance the traditional farming methods, the traditional farming practices which are resilient."

Sakiusa Tubuna.

The programme aims to involve 600 farmers across the region and also connect more youth with the agricultural sector.