Pacific Food Security Toolkit: Building Resilience to Climate Change Root Crop and Fishery Production

This Food Security Toolkit, designed specifically for Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs), aims to improve Pacific Islanders’ ability to produce and access safe and nutritious foods that meet their dietary and cultural needs. Targeting food security in the Pacific region is a critical action in the face of climate change, which will continue to place added pressure on existing food and water resources. The ultimate aim of the toolkit is to help ensure that Pacific Island communities continue to produce and have access to a wide range of nutritious food for the dinner plate and market place.

The toolkit is divided into a series of modules, so as to accommodate future changes or additions. It includes an introductory module that looks at climate change in the Pacific, a module on key Pacific food production systems and two applied modules on Pacific root crops and Pacific fisheries. The toolkit also contains 55 “adaptation steps” that are designed to provide ideas and, in some cases, practical measures that can be used and, with time, adapted to help maintain and strengthen food security in the face of climate change. Importantly, the toolkit provides its readers a list of existing tools and resources that present more detailed information on climate change adaptation measures, food security and related issues.

Tackling food security and climate change in the Pacific region requires the development or implementation of integrated strategies, policies and practices that reach all levels of Pacific society. It also requires a strong collaborative and cross-sectoral approach from regional organizations, national governments, and urban and village leaders, as well as individual farmers and fishers. The toolkit is, accordingly, broadly focused and provides both adaptive steps for PICT government agencies and practical steps designed to improve sustainable management and production practices at the community level. The toolkit has been written for a broad audience that may include: government officials; national agriculture, forestry and fisheries development officers; non-governmental organizations (NGOs); community groups; and other stakeholders within the agriculture and fisheries sectors.