Richard Butler | RNZ | Apr 25th, 2019
A top Vanuatu official says the country’s food production cannot match demand and needs imports, including meat.
Root crop in traditional woven baskets in Vanuatu
The Director General of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity, Moses Amos said Vanuatu spends about $US10 million on food imports.
The issue was raises at a recent consultation programme on seed policy in Port Vila.
The Director of Agriculture Antoine Ravo said the biggest mistake of the past was for the government to focus on the social sector such as health and education.
Mr Ravo said it was only recently that the focus has shifted to the productive sector.
The agriculture minister Hosea Nevu said the local population consumes a lot of imported products because not enough is planted to meet local consumption.