Rarotonga will be hosting a regional farmers summit next week focusing on critical topics such as climate change, sustainable agriculture, innovative solutions, and community-led initiatives.

Close to 150 Cook Islands farmers and growers will be among representatives from 15 Pacific Island countries and 60 organisations at the Grassroots Partnership for Pacific Solutions Summit next week.

The local participants will also include those from the Pa Enua, says Te Tango Enua president Danny Mataroa.

The summit, from August 21-25, will be held at The Edgewater Resort and Cook Islands National Auditorium and is hosted by the Pacific Farmer Organisations and Te Tango Enua.

This pivotal week-long gathering is poised to foster cross-border collaboration, knowledge sharing, and transformative connections aimed at driving positive change throughout the Pacific.

The event’s agenda will feature a comprehensive line-up of discussions centered on critical topics such as climate change, sustainable agriculture, innovative solutions, and community-led initiatives.

Central to the summit’s mission is the recognition and empowerment of family farmers and farmer organisations as indispensable champions of climate change adaptation, food production, and livelihood enhancement across the Pacific region, the Pacific Farmer Organisations said in a statement.

Mataroa said the main objective is climate resilience and food security.

For example, he said there are many products that can be made from breadfruit (kuru), such as gluten-free flour.

Mataroa said that while people may have jobs and can afford their imported products, there may be a long drought within the next year and kuru can survive any drought.

“We need to make sure we can look after ourselves and not depend on imported products,” Mataroa said.

Pacific Farmer Organisations said this unique convergence of thought leaders, grassroots organisations, governments, regional entities, and farmer’s promises to ignite discussions and initiatives that transcend borders and pave the way for sustainable development.