The villagers of Omoka on the northern group island of Tongareva were given the first harvest of hydroponic Bok Choy (cabbages) this week. Tongareva Island Government executive officer Puna Vano said the island’s hydroponic farming was made possible through the support of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Vano, who recently took over the role, said hydroponic farming is part of their plan to ensure food security. “There is a bigger plan to this and we are working on it. We want to focus on food security.”
Agriculture officers went to the island with the Bok Choy seedlings which were transplanted, Vano said, adding more seedlings will be transplanted soon. They do not want to harvest everything all at once, he said. The other village of Te Tautua should be able to harvest their first round of cabbages in the next two weeks.
“We want to make these green leafy vegetables available on the island for people’s own health benefit,” Vano said.
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