The Pacific Vision for Adapted Crops and Soil (PACS) has been officially launched in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, during the 4th Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry. This initiative addresses the threats posed by climate change to food systems in the region, aiming to enhance food and nutrition security through investments in soil health and the cultivation of climate-adapted crops.
PACS draws inspiration from the global Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils movement (VACS), which focuses on mobilizing resources necessary to invest in nutritious crops capable of withstanding climate change. It has secured a two-year foundational funding period from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of Australia, amounting to AUD 4 million, which includes AUD 1 million dedicated to technical support from CSIRO and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Additional funding comes from the Australian Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
During the launch, Ms. Karen Mapusua, the Director of SPC’s Land Resources Division, expressed her gratitude to the Australian Government for funding this initial phase and emphasized the objective of PACS: to empower Pacific nations and enhance resilience against climate change challenges, ultimately benefiting future generations.
Tina Hutchison, Deputy Secretary of Agricultural Trade and Regulation, reiterated Australia’s commitment to this Pacific-led initiative, emphasizing the importance of building partnerships and collaborations. A central objective during the foundational phase is to conduct regional consultations to identify approximately 20 priority crops for investment, all aimed at improving nutrition, soil health, and climate adaptability.
The PACS will implement a three-phased approach: identifying opportunity crops that can improve nutritional security, assessing the impacts of land degradation and climate change on these crops, and mobilizing resources for research, development, and sustainable land management practices.
Three pilot countries—potentially including Fiji, the Federated States of Micronesia, and others—will be selected to guide the foundational activities. All SPC member countries will be involved in establishing a knowledge-sharing community under the PACS initiative.
This initiative signifies a collaborative effort to enhance regional resilience in the face of climate change, reflecting a collective hope for a sustainable future in the Pacific. By focusing on climate-adapted agricultural practices, the region aims not only to improve food security but also to foster a healthy environment for future generations.
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