The Ministry of Agriculture is conducting a survey of subsistence farmers.

Secretary of Agriculture Temarama Anguna-Kamana said the survey, which began at the end of last month, is part of the agriculture census. The ministry hopes to complete the survey by the end of September.

Anguna-Kamana said the data collected will be analysed and a report will be completed by December 2023. The ministry is being assisted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) with the project.

Anguna-Kamana also said the ministry is seeking support from partners to assist the agriculture sector.

Food cubes that were assisted by the Pacific Community (SPC) and the ministry for Rakahanga School are one of the many items they are seeking support for.

Meanwhile, Anguna-Kamana recently attended the 43rd biennial Ministerial Conference for the FAO of the United Nations in Rome.

"I was fortunate to attend the first two days of the FAO 43rd session and cast the Cook Islands vote for the position of Director General for FAO. The election was held on Sunday morning, July 2, 2023, at the FAO Headquarters.”

She said there was only one candidate for the position of Director General, Qu Dongyu, who was again declared the FAO head for the next four years, 2023-2027.