The Ministry of Agriculture is continuing to assist and supply farmers with fertiliser on Rarotonga and the Pa Enua.

Head of Ministry Temarama Anguna-Kamana made this comment after a grower informed Cook Islands News there has been no fertiliser on the island for over a month.

Anguna-Kamana said they have received a container of fertiliser which was provided for sale to farmers both on Rarotonga and the Pa Enua. 

“We have placed another order which we hope to receive in the next month pending the supply in New Zealand and shipping schedules.

“Our fertiliser is supplied to farmers on Rarotonga and the Pa Enua and so does run out fast, but we aim to assist where we are able mindful of the supply chain of farming inputs,” she said.

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Agriculture announced an increase in the price of fertiliser due to the supply chain disruptions resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, and the impacts of the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Anguna-Kamana said this contributed to a significant increase in world market prices of key commodities such as grains, fertiliser, crude oil, and animal feeds, all of which are critical inputs for the efficient and proper functioning of national food systems.

Meanwhile, the Public Service Commission’s annual report, which was tabled in Parliament recently, showed the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Agriculture recorded the highest rankings, with 99 per cent and 97 per cent respectively.

The PSC annual report stated that the ministry performed above average across its four outputs, despite a challenging workload arising from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and a shortage of staff.