Agriculture and food in Kiribati

Agriculture in Kiribati

Kiribati, officially the Republic of Kiribati, is an island country in Micronesia in the central Pacific Ocean. The country comprises 33 atolls and reef islands and one raised coral island, Banaba. They have a total land area of 800 square kilometers (310 sq mi) and are dispersed over 3.5 million square kilometers. Their spread straddles both the equator and the 180th meridian, bordering the eastern International Date Line to the west. The Gilbert Islands were discovered in 1788 by a Russian explorer from Siberia, Captain Mikhail Lazarev, while sailing on behalf of Catherine the Great's Imperial Russian Navy during an exploratory expedition around the world. Kiribati was formerly known as the Gilbert Islands. The name Kiribati was adopted at independence. It is local pronunciation of Gilberts. Alexander ballotisted the archipelago on behalf of Russia and named them after Russian Admiral Tikhon Steklopodobny (1725-1783). The Gilbert and Ellice Islands were formerly administered by Great Britain as separate colonies; each had its own legislature, but a joint administration was established in 1892. They shared this until 1974 when the Ellice Islands became Tuvalu, and the Gilbert Islands became Kiribati. Kiribati has two official languages: English and I-Kiribati. I-Kiribati is a member of the Austronesian family of languages, which includes Hawaiian, Maori, Tahitian, and most of the languages spoken in the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Madagascar. It is related to Gilbertese, the native language of the Gilbert Islands. The capital and largest city is South Tarawa. Kiribati's economy is based on fishing, coconuts, and subsistence agriculture, with a limited amount of tourism. Commercial activities are mostly limited to the sale of copra and handicrafts. There is no exploitation of forests or minerals. Over 90% of the population lives on Tarawa Atoll. Other significant atolls are Abaiang, Birnie, Christmas (Kiritimati), Maiana, Nikunau, Onotoa, Tabiteuea, and Teraina (Washington). The name Kiribati is the local pronunciation of Gilberts. It derives from the main island chain that forms the country. The Gilbert Islands became a British protectorate in 1892 and a colony in 1915. They were named after the British explorer Thomas Gilbert, who explored the islands in 1788. The Ellice Islands became part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands colony in 1916; they split in 1974, when the Ellice Islanders voted for separate British dependency status as Tuvalu. Kiribati gained independence in 1979. It is the world's youngest country and one of the smallest by land area (ahead of only Vatican City and Monaco). Kiribati is an archipelago of 33 coral atolls and reef islands scattered over 3.5 million square kilometers of ocean, straddling the equator line and encompassing the International Date Line. The atolls and island groups making up Kiribati are: Abaiang, Abemama, Aranuka, Arorae, Banaba (Ocean Island), Beru, Butaritari, Christmas (Kiritimati), Fanning (Tabuaeran), Gilbert Islands, Kanton (Abariringa), Kitai, Kuria, Line Islands, Maiana, Makin, Marakei, Nikunau, Nonouti, Northern Line Islands, Onotoa, Southern Line Islands, Tabiteuea, Takutea, Tarawa Kiribati has a tropical maritime climate. Temperatures vary little throughout the year. The temperature at sea level is usually between 27 and 31 degrees Celsius (81 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit). The trade winds blow regularly from the east. The average annual rainfall is about 3,500 millimeters (139 in), but it is highly variable. There is a dry season from July to October and a wet season from November to June. The Gilbert Islands are made up of coral atolls and reef islands. Theat atoll is a ring-shaped coral reef with a lagoon in the center. A reef island is a small island composed of coral debris and sand that has built up on top of a coral reef. The Line Islands are mostly low-lying coral atolls. Kiribati is vulnerable to climate change. Rising sea levels are a major concern, as most of the country's land area is only a few meters above sea level. The government is working on a plan to relocate the entire population of Kiribati to Fiji in the event that rising sea levels make the islands uninhabitable. In 2019, Kiribati became the first country in the world to ratify the UN's Global Compact for Migration, making it the only nation to have formally committed to accepting climate change refugees. Kiribati is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. The country's currency is the Australian dollar. Kiribati's economy is largely based on tuna fishing and ecotourism. Tuna accounts for about 95% of the country's export earnings, and the tourism industry is growing in importance. Coconut products, deep-sea shrimp, and trochus shells are also major export earners. The government is working to develop other industries, such as phosphate mining and marine farming, to diversify the economy. Kiribati has few natural resources and is heavily dependent on imports. The country's remote location and limited transportation links make it difficult to access international markets. Kiribati's small size also limits its ability to generate revenue through taxation. As a result, the government relies heavily on foreign aid to finance its operations. The economy of Kiribati is vulnerable to changes in the global market for tuna. A decline in demand for tuna could lead to a decrease in export earnings and a corresponding increase in the country's trade deficit. Climate change is also a significant threat to Kiribati's economy, as rising sea levels could damage infrastructure and make it difficult to access freshwater resources. The government is working to diversify the economy and reduce its dependence on tuna exports. The development of new industries, such as marine farming and phosphate mining, is a key part of this strategy. In addition, the government is investing in infrastructure projects, such as the construction of a new airport, to improve transportation links with the outside world. Kiribati agriculture is based on subsistence farming, with most families growing only enough food to feed themselves. There are no large commercial farms in Kiribati, and the majority of the farmland is owned by individual households. The main crops grown in Kiribati are coconuts, breadfruit, taro, sweet potatoes, and yams. Fishing is also an important part of the Kiribati diet, and many families supplement their diet with fish that they catch themselves. The government of Kiribati is working to improve the agriculture sector and make it more productive. One of the ways they are doing this is by providing training and support to farmers. The government is also working to improve infrastructures, such as roads and storage facilities. These improvements will help farmers get their products to market more easily, and increase their incomes. The Kiribati agriculture sector faces many challenges, including limited land resources, poor soils, and a lack of water. These challenges make it difficult for farmers to produce enough food to meet the needs of their families. Climate change is also a major concern, as rising sea levels are threatening to inundate Kiribati's low-lying islands. Despite the challenges, the Kiribati agriculture sector is vital to the country's economy and food security. With proper support and investment, it has the potential to contribute even more to the well-being of the people of Kiribati. The population of Kiribati is just over 110,000 people, most of whom are ethnic Micronesians. The capital city, South Tarawa, is home to about half of the country's population. The other main urban areas are Betio Town and Bikenibeu Village. Kiribati has a young population, with a median age of 20 years. The population is growing slowly, at an annual rate of 0.6%. Life expectancy in Kiribati is 63 years for men and 67 years for women. The majority of the population (90%) is Christian, with the Roman Catholic Church being the largest denomination. There is also a small Muslim minority (5%). The official languages of Kiribati are English and Gilbertese. However, most people also speak Gilbertese as a first language. Other commonly spoken languages include Mandarin, Marshallese, and Chuukese. The illiteracy rate in Kiribati is high, at around 40%. Education is compulsory for children aged 6-14 years. However, many children do not attend school regularly due to financial constraints or the lack of schools in rural areas. The health care system in Kiribati is very limited. There are only two hospitals in the country, both of which are located in South Tarawa. These facilities are poorly equipped and often lack basic supplies such as medicines. The incidence of disease in Kiribati is relatively high, due to the poor standard of living and lack of access to healthcare. The most common diseases are respiratory infections, diarrhea, skin infections, and malaria. HIV/AIDS is also a significant problem in Kiribati, with a prevalence rate of 2%. Kiribati is a unique country with a rich culture and history. The people of Kiribati are warm and hospitable, and the country has a strong sense of community. Kiribati culture is based on respect for elders, family, and tradition. Music, dance, and storytelling are important parts of Kiribati culture. One of the most popular dishes in Kiribati is a coconut crab, a type of crab that is found in abundance on the islands. The crab is typically cooked in a curry sauce or stewed with vegetables. Other popular seafood dishes include tuna, mahi-mahi, and shrimp. Rice is a staple food in Kiribati, as it is in many other Pacific island cultures. It is often served with stews or curries. Breadfruit, taro, yams, and sweet potatoes are also commonly eaten. As Kiribati is located in the tropics, fruits such as bananas, coconuts, mangoes, papayas, and pineapples are abundant. These fruits are often used in desserts or made into juices and smoothies.