By Siutoni Tupou

Cash cropping :
the case of squash pumpkins
in Tonga

Agriculture plays a major role, both socially and economically throughout the Kingdom of Tonga. Next to fishing, agriculture has been the main traditional livelihood of the Tongan people for centuries. However, modernisation has changed the modes of production and the lifestyle of the people.

Agriculture today brings economic prosperity to the country and cash cropping is the new lifestyle in Tonga. Squash pumpkin, cucurbita maxima, has been one of the main cash crops introduced to Tonga in the past decade. Tongan farmers became interested in squash pumpkin because of the high demands from the Japanese market and therefore high price. Squash has replaced banana and copra since the late 1980s as the major agricultural product for Tonga's exports. The pumpkin industry is regarded as the most important and profitable agricultural industry in Tonga.

Since agriculture is the main component of its economy, Tonga must have the appropriate infrastructure and technology to meet the international policy and regulations of agricultural products. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) carries out the responsibilities of improving and developing appropriate methods in crop production and protection. Other non-government organisations and government’s ministries involved in overseas trades are also very much committed to the squash industry. However, there is little information reported on health and environmental impacts of cash cropping.

Government ministries' reports are mainly based on the economic impact of cash cropping, especially the squash pumpkin industry. Obviously, what the international market will demand is the production of the local farmers; but there is little emphasis on the local environment and on the health of farmers.

It is true to say that improvements in technology and cash cropping have boosted the economy of Tonga. However, the move from subsistence farming to cash-cropping systems also caused the increasing imports of agricultural chemicals and fertilisers. The more the demands from the international market, the more chemicals will be used. Hence, cash cropping leads to ecological disequilibrium and environmental pollution, which seriously affect public health.

Although this is a major concern at the global level, there is still a lack of awareness and resources at the local level. The MAF has been involved with organic farming to raise farmer's awareness of the environmental and health problems due to the over-use of agricultural chemicals and fertilisers. Still,there is little demand on soil and water testing with regards to chemical contamination.

The MAF and the Ministry of Health (MOH) have supported Tonga's traditional farming practices, safer for our environment. However, the present infrastructure does not give other alternatives to farmers. Tonga is now joining the rest of the world in the race for a better economy. The farmers certified for organic farming are mainly for vanilla. Squash and a few other agricultural produce are certified for organic farming, but there is a lack of awareness and policy towards a more sustainable agriculture. In fact, the negative effect of squash pumpkin emphasised is the uncertain market price, not health or environmental issues.