Amid pandemic, Pacific islands work to offset food shortages

Amid pandemic, Pacific islands work to offset food shortages

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) “” Coronavirus infections have barely touched many of the remote islands of the Pacific, but the pandemic's fallout has been enormous, disrupting the supply chain that brings crucial food imports and sending prices soaring as tourism wanes.With a food crisis looming, many governments have begun community initiatives to help alleviate shortages: extending fishing seasons, expanding indigenous food gathering lessons and bolstering seed distribution programs that allow residents greater self-reliance."We initially started with 5,000 seeds and thought we would finish them in nine months' time. But there was a very big response, and we finished distributing the seeds in one week,“ said Vinesh Kumar, head of operation for Fiji's Agriculture Ministry.ADVERTISEMENTThe project provides residents with vegetable seeds, saplings and basic farming equipment to help them grow their own home gardens.Fiji resident Elisabeta Waqa said she had contemplated starting a garden before the pandemic, but -- with no job, extra time at home and seeds from the ministry and friends -- finally took action. Looking to have "zero financial investment,“ Waqa collected buckets, crates and other potential planters discarded on the side of the road and in the trash. Soon her yard transformed into containers of green beans, cucumber,