Sector Priorities Including Outer Islands

The following are the current priority areas for the agriculture sector:

• Minimisation of pest intrusions by streamlining and tightening quarantine activities at the ports of entry
• Review and update the biosecurity legislation of the country
• Increasing the local production of livestock (pigs, poultry, goats) fruits, vegetables and rootcrops to cater for the increased demand on the local market brought about partly by the expanded tourism industry
• Management of horticultural pests and diseases
• Promotion of organic agriculture due to world trends and the increasing input costs associated with the conventional methods of production
• Re-establishing the agricultural research station on Mauke for the benefit of all islands
• In collaboration with FAO, USP and SPC, implement funded projects in pest management, agricultural production & marketing, floriculture, food standards, information acquisition and dissemination, plant propagation, and agriculture infrastructure

Sector Research Priorities

• Survey to establish the status of livestock diseases
• Management of livestock diseases
• Management of viral infestations on selected crops
• Potential market outlets overseas for Cook Islands agricultural products
• Food processing/value adding and their potential for the local and export markets
• Post harvest treatment of crops
• Agricultural labour market