Ontong Java Climate Change Project: Food and Water Security

Description of Intervention

Ontong Java atoll is low-lying and has limited coastal protection facilities. There is limited good land available for farming and the region also lacks good water system. Whatever little farming land and ground water is available is now exposed to inundation by high tides, storm surges and to changes in rainfall duration. It is projected that the atoll will be affected by sea level rise and more frequent storm surges.

There is limited farming/technology options and low capability with inadequate infrastructure to catch and store additional water. The atoll does not have regular shipping services and communication with the outside world is poor. Islanders rely heavily on local marine resources and cash and imported goods such as rice and other root crops. The younger generation seems to be losing interest in agriculture.

This project aims to enhance the knowledge and awareness of islanders about climate change issues, and train the two communities of the atoll in new farming methods and varieties. New farming methods and salt-resistant crops will be introduced to trained farmers. Best crops and best farming practices will also be demonstrated.

Problems to be Addressed

Food security; agriculture

Aims

The overall aim of the project is to build an experimental agriculture station on Ontong Java to trial salt-resistant crops.

Objectives

• To improve food security and reduce vulnerability of the people of Ontong Java to food shortages by 2015.
• To establish farms that will not only experiment with crops, but demonstrate best crops and best practices. Thus the plots will provide hands-on information and planting materials for the local people.
• To develop means of protecting crops from enhanced salinity due to salt water intrusion from rising sea levels and increased sea-spray in inclement weather.
• Community training in food security self-reliance skills and community self-reliance meetings to improve community capacity to plan and manage food security issues within their own resources.
• To train and build a pool of skilled community agricultural trainers who will be a resource for other communities.

How it fits into the EbA concept

The project aims to increase the resilience and reduce the vulnerability of communities through food security in the face of the adverse impacts of climate change.

Relevant Publications

Currently working on Atoll Permaculture guide for Ontong Java (Agro-forestry, mixed-farming)