Over 100 farmers, stakeholders and staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways converged in Drasa, Lautoka today to celebrate World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2024 which is celebrated in 197 countries around the world on the 17th of June.

Chief Guest and Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Honourable Tomasi Tunabuna said that even though desertification does not impact us, tropical island nations like Fiji are still highly susceptible to land degradation.

“The theme for the 2024 World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, is “United for Land. Our Legacy. Our Future”, in summary, it highlights the future role of land stewardship in ensuring the stability and prosperity of billions of people around the world,” stressed Hon. Tunabuna.

“In, September 1997, Fiji experienced a severe drought that led to the declaration of a national emergency, marking it as the most significant drought the country had ever faced in a century. It was estimated that approximately 48,000 households were directly affected in various parts of the country,” explained Hon. Tunabuna.

“In August 1998, one year later, our leaders made the decision to ratify the United Nation Convention to Combat Desertification & Drought (UNCCD), a sister convention under the UN that offers governance and assistance to member countries in addressing Desertification and Drought concerns.”

He added that the issues of desertification, land degradation, and drought are some of the most urgent environmental challenges facing the world today in where around 40% of the total land area across the globe is already classified as ‘degraded’.

“The impacts of Climate Change in Fiji are real and there are many reasons we organize this event like mobilising global support in minimizing and reversing the impacts of land degradation & drought,” added Hon. Tunabuna.

“This event is also to enhance knowledge and experience sharing on good land husbandry practices; and promoting inclusiveness in every undertaking on land and its developments.”

Hon. Tunabuna stressed that the importance of land use plans in Sustainable Resource Management cannot be over-emphasized given that 90 percent of land in Fiji is under customary ownership and located in “rural” areas.

“More than half of our population depends on agriculture as their primary means of livelihood, leading us to continuously clear and cultivate our forests for food, incomes, and residence. However, it is important to understand that we must preserve our environment not just for biodiversity, but also for the well-being of our future generations.”

Participants at the event were encouraged to share with others the importance of proper planning for Sustainable Land Management Practices.

Hon. Tunabuna also assured farmers that the Ministry of Agriculture & Waterways is committed to serving them by not only providing support for economic developments but also for adopted and innovative technologies that assist in the management and sustainable use of resources, in particular land resources.

-ENDS-

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