Pacific Islands Taro Based Homegardens (Vanuatu)

Outstanding Features

The Pacific Island countries have traditional agricultural production systems that provide major food resources, and resilience to the small economies in times of external economic shocks or natural disasters (cyclones). Vanuatu is a relatively large Melanesian island country (besides Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia), and is a high, hot and wet tropical island experiencing SE trade winds. It is the most cyclone-prone island in the world, and is dominated by low forest and thicket bush vegetation. Most of the population is concentrated in two major towns, and 75% practice subsistence agriculture. It has rich lands suitable for crops and pastures, even though it is deficient in potassium, copper and zinc, and low in phosphorus. Vanuatu has a high population growth rate, a low HDI, low income, low literacy, and low life-expectancy. There is no proper valuation of the contribution of subsistence agriculture to the economy, even though Vanuatu is the most dependent among the large Melanesian islands on agriculture. Its vibrant cultural traditions ensure subsistence production and high food security. Severe market constraints (high shipping costs, lack of middle-men) make export development unrealistic. Nevertheless, some agricultural exports have been developed mainly tree crops (coconut, cocoa, and coffee), livestock, spices (pepper, vanilla) and indigenous nuts (nangai or Canarium, navele or Barringtonia). Multiple cropping in traditional gardens promotes food self-sufficiency: Sweet potato (Ipomea batatas), taro (Colocasia esculenta), yam (Dioscorea spp.), manioc or cassava (Manihot esculenta.), Fiji taro (Xanthosoma sagittofolium), breadfruit, and rice. Rich varieties of taro and yam are integrated into gardens and adjusted for disaster mitigation and self-sufficiency. Dryland and irrigated taro are cultivated. Other crops cultivated in traditional gardens include sugarcane, island cabbage (Hibiscus esculenta), naviso, pineapple, pawpaw, banana, water melon, tomato, Chinese cabbage, and kava. Root crops generate household income. Homegardens vary in size per household (0.04-0.25 ha), most being small. Some traditional staples like taro and banana provide higher energy per unit weight than others such as breadfruit and yams, but none match exotic staples like rice and manioc.

Goods and Services Provided

Pacific island homegardens produce food crops that provide energy, proteins and nutrients, and moderate the climate. Some tree crop commodities (coconut copra, cocoa) have export value.

Threats and Challenges

Traditional homegardens are threatened by cyclones, and cheap rice imports that could displace indigenous taros and yams. There is a need to assess the threats to maintaining agro-biodiversity in small island economies.

Policy and Development Relevance

There is a need to assess the impact of food import policies on maintaining traditional agro-biodiversity in homegardens in small islands.

Global Importance

Taro based homegardens are widespread throughout the Pacific. Their conservation and sustainable management is essential for risk mitigation and self-sufficiency of the islands.