Piloting climate change adaptation in lowland farming systems in Fiji
- Fiji
- Pacific
ENTRY DATE: 09.03.2012 | LAST UPDATE: 09.03.2012
SCALE:
- Countrywide
TARGET AREA:
- Rural
BEST PRACTICE IN:
- Project Implementation
KEY SECTOR:
- Agriculture
FUNDING AMOUNT:
- USD 500,001 - USD 1,000,000
Description of Intervention
The Fiji Government has developed and maintained infrastructure to support agricultural development. However, these agricultural development activities are now significantly affected due to the sea level rise. As a typical example, Fiji had reclaimed lands for agriculture in low lying and flat lands since early 1970s, by constructing of drainage facilities, sea-water protection dykes, tidal gates, culverts, road access and other infrastructure. By doing so, previous swamp “tiri” lands were converted into arable lands for sugarcane, root-crops, vegetables and fruit crops, as well as for livestock farming. But climate change is threatening this infrastructure..
Problems to be Addressed
• Frequent, prolonged and high intensity flooding is experienced in the developed low lying drainage systems in Fiji;
• Current design infrastructure of drainage networks is not able to cope with two-to-threefold increases in precipitation and sea level rise, causing damage to crops by prolonged flooding;
• Since 1990, floods associated with cyclonic storms and rainfall have caused considerable damage to agricultural lands, particularly in the lowlands;
• Damage caused by flooding associated with Cyclone Sina was estimated at FJ$33million, while overall flood damage from Cyclone Kina was estimated at FJ$188 million (World Bank, 2000); and
• Future scenarios predict an average loss of USD68,000 a year in lost food crops in Viti Levu. Over long term, these losses could give rise to substantial economic costs with Fiji suffering from economic damage averaging USD23-US$D2 million a year by 2050, which is 2%-4% of the country’s GDP.
Aims
To improve agricultural land drainage and flood protection works in the Central Division. This project will focus on enhancing, and where necessary, developing new drainage design features for drainage networks and infrastructure in lowland farming areas of Fiji.
Objectives
• To provide (with co-funding support) practical guidance to design drains and drainage networks that are adapted to current and predicted two to three-fold increase in rainfall regimes;
• To integrate implementation of climate change adaptation into physical planning and policy processes relating to agriculture and food security;
• To implement urgent adaptation measures to enable the communities to cope with future climate and sea level changes; and
• To promote sustainable land management and protection of agricultural lands.
How it fits into the EbA concept
The Fiji Government has a budget of about USD8.6 million for 2009-2013 to work on improving drainage schemes throughout the country. This project activity would significantly contribute to Government’s effort to address this issue, by helping local communities adapt to the impacts of climate change. Improved food security and resilience of crops to increase in rainfall and associated flooding is critical to enhance the adaptability of the country’s agricultural sector to the projected impacts of climate change.