The impact of El Niño on agriculture in Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu

According to Wilson Thompson, head of the Papua New Guinea Farmers and Settlers Association, the consequences of the poor harvest may become apparent in a few months as the areas where it is still raining dry out. Crops planted in June are unlikely to produce a harvest, and earlier plantings will yield less than half, and sometimes a quarter, of the expected volume. In Papua New Guinea, the government has allocated an additional 500 million kina ($157 million) to respond to El Niño. Prime Minister James Marape urged local authorities to identify water sources and risks to food security. At the same time, Wilson Thompson noted that these recommendations are not reaching remote communities that lack permanent access to the media.

In Vanuatu, where about 80 percent of the population is engaged in subsistence agriculture, damage to the agricultural sector is also being recorded. Market vendors report the death of island cabbage, a deterioration in the quality of banana tree fruits, and an increased risk of fires due to dry weather. In northern Vanuatu, rainfall is forecast to be well below average, posing a threat to islands that depend on rainwater harvesting. The Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department expects the peak of weather anomalies in November, December, and January.

Internal Security and Police Minister Sir John Pundari reported on tough measures against crime in areas with growing water and food shortages. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative in PNG Kachen Wongsathapornchai pointed out that preparatory work has already begun in the most affected regions. In Vanuatu, government departments are holding weekly meetings, and civil society organizations are informing isolated areas. In particular, ActionAid Vanuatu is engaging women to pass verified information between departments and communities, which helps combat rumors.