Impacts of Climate Change on Taro Food Loss and Farmers' Food Security in Tonga and Samoa

Christian-Yves Amato-Ali^1*Viliamu Iese²Seeseei Molimau-Samasoni³Gayathri Mekala²Soane Patolo³Hilda Waqa-Sakiti¹

• ¹University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji
• ²The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
• ³University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Australia

Climate change is impacting Pacific Island food systems, reducing household food security, resilience and economic stability. This study examines climate change impacts on taro food loss in Upolu, Samoa, and Tongatapu, Tonga, focusing on postharvest handling and strategies to improve food security. It compares taro farmer climate change perceptions, postharvest handling and losses to highlight similarities and differences in taro farming practices in Samoa and Tonga. Data for this study were collected through farmer interviews and taro shelf-life analysis. Seventy-one farmers were surveyed, and eight were shadowed from harvest to sale. The study findings reveal that climate change factors including shifting rainfall patterns and extreme weather events exacerbate postharvest losses. Non-climatic factors such as labour shortages, poor handling, limited transportation and poor storage practices are primary factors also contributing to the affordability and availability of taro. Farmers have adopted strategies such as the use of early warning systems, prompt harvesting and soil protection practices to mitigate climate change induced losses. By linking climate change, food security and food loss along the taro value chain, the study enhances understanding of the postharvest handling procedures of taro in Samoa and Tonga and identifies strategies for policies that can provide support for infrastructure development for fostering sustainable, climate-resilient taro farming systems in the Pacific Islands.