“Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) are designed by Pacific Island countries according to their set priorities derived from their national strategic plans. The biggest sector impacted by climate change and natural disasters in the Pacific is Agriculture.”
This was the response forth by Programme Leader for Sustainable Agriculture within the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Land Resource Division, Gibson Susumu when responding about the value of including Climate Smart Agriculture within NDCs.
Featured as one of the panellists for the Regional Pacific NDC Hub Side Event for the Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry in Nadi (7 – 10 March 2023), Susumu said implementing climate smart agriculture into NDCs provides Pacific Island countries to adapt to the changing climates and conditions encountered in the region.
Across the Pacific, cyclones and natural disasters brought about by climate change impact agriculture which 50-70% of the Pacific people that rely on it for their sustenance, Susumu added.
The theme of the event titled “Unlocking the potential of Pacific agriculture and forestry” featured a panel that included Aradhana Deesh from the Fiji Ministry of Agriculture, Margaret Seruvatu from FRIEND (NGO) and Gibson Susumu from SPC.
The event which was occurring simultaneously with the International Women’s Day globally, shared many similar tangents for women in climate and science that was represented through the panel.
“Women are drivers of change from home to the communities,” Margaret Seruvatu shared.
“After natural disasters, women are pushed back into poverty and are the most vulnerable in light of the more negative impacts of climate change,” she added.
Seruvatu said that one of the more encouraging stories were of resilient women that have had been laid off due to the pandemic and resolving to agricultural entrepreneurship to help sustain her family.
“We have seen positive contributions since the pandemic, with women increasingly been listened to, and are able to voice and share their needs,” she added.
The side event that highlighted the importance of the agricultural sector, its mitigation and adaptation potential in realizing national and regional climate goals, also gave an overview of the current state of AFOLU sector in the Pacific.
The closing remarks for the side event was given by Alejandro Matos Lopez, the European Union (EU) delegation to Fiji, Focal Point for Agriculture and Rural Development.
It was an opportunity to share experiences from the government perspective, synergies and issues around women, agriculture and climate change seen through an non-governmental perspective for more integrated and transformative sector for the Pacific Islands.
