Agriculture and food in Marshall Islands

Agriculture in Marshall Islands

The Marshall Islands, officially the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), is an island country located near the equator in the Pacific Ocean, slightly west of the International Date Line. Geographically, the country is part of the larger island group of Micronesia. The country's population of 53,158 people (at the 2011 census) is spread out over 29 coral atolls, comprising 1,156 individual islands and islets. The capital and largest city are Majuro. The Marshall Islands have been inhabited for thousands of years by Micronesian people. English is the country's official language and the principal language of government and education, but Marshallese is also spoken. The islands were first explored by Europeans in the late 18th century and were made part of the German Empire in 1884. They were subsequently placed under Japanese control in 1914, until the end of World War II, when they were occupied by the United States. The Marshall Islands were formally divided into two territories, the Marshall Islands (which includes the atolls of Bikini and Enewetak) and the Eastern Marshall Islands. The US subsequently assumed trusteeship of the western islands under the 1947 Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands and installed a civilian government that later became independent in 1979 as the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The eastern part of the archipelago was once also governed by the US as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, but it left the administration in 1986 under a Compact of Free Association. Unlike the western islands, which are coral atolls, the eastern islands are made of volcanic rock and are geologically newer. The Marshall Islands is home to Bikini Atoll, where 26 nuclear weapons tests were conducted in the 1940s and 1950s. The Marshall Islands were placed on the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories in 1947; they gained full sovereignty in 1986 under a Compact of Free Association with the United States. The country is located north of Nauru and Kiribati, east of the Federated States of Micronesia, and south of Wake Island (which is also claimed by the Marshall Islands). The Marshall Islands consists of 29 low-lying coral atolls and 5 isolated coral islands, which together form two parallel groups—the Ratak Chain and the Ralik Chain (or "Sunrise" Chain). About 1,225 individual islands and islets make up the Marshall Islands. They lie northeast of Papua New Guinea, southeast of the Philippines, and southwest of Hawaii. The Marshall Islands are home to a wide variety of plant and animal life. The islands’ coral reefs support a large variety of fish, corals, and other marine life. Birds, including seabirds, are also common on the Marshall Islands. There are several species of plants and animals that are found only on the Marshall Islands. These include the orange-striped monitor lizard, the Micronesian megapode, and the Polynesian tree snail. The Marshall Islands are also home to a number of endangered species, including the Hawaiian Monk Seal, the Green Sea Turtle, and the Hawksbill Turtle. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these and other species that are found on the Marshall Islands. The Marshall Islands has a population of approximately 53,000 people. The economy of the Marshall Islands is based on tourism, fishing, agriculture, and manufacturing. The country's main exports are copra, tuna, and garments. The Marshall Islands is a member of the Pacific Forum trade organization. The per capita GDP of the Marshall Islands was estimated at $3,900 in 2016. The unemployment rate in the Marshall Islands was estimated at 10% in 2014. The Marshall Islands has a total land area of 181 square kilometers. The capital of the Marshall Islands is Majuro. The climate of the Marshall Islands is tropical and humid. The Marshall Islands declared independence from the United States in 1986. The country is a constitutional republic with a unicameral legislature. The head of state of the Marshall Islands is the President, who is elected by the legislature. The head of government is the Prime Minister, who is appointed by the President. The Marshall Islands is a member of the United Nations, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. The country is also a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The Marshall Islands are home to a variety of crops, including coconuts, breadfruit, taro, yams, and bananas. Agriculture is an important part of the economy, and many families grow their own food. Farmers often sell their surplus produce at markets or trade it for other goods. Fishing is also an important part of the diet, and the Marshall Islands have some of the healthiest reefs in the world. Lobsters, tuna, and shellfish are all common catches, and seaweed is gathered for use as fertilizer. Agriculture is not only a source of food and income but also a way of life for many Marshall Islanders. Families often work together to plant and harvest crops, and children learn about farming from a young age. Despite the importance of agriculture, the Marshall Islands are not self-sufficient. The country imports most of its food, as well as other goods such as fuel and building materials. This dependence on imported goods makes the Marshall Islands vulnerable to changes in the global economy. For example, when fuel prices increase, the cost of transportation goes up and food becomes more expensive. The Marshall Islands are working to become more self-sufficient by increasing local food production. The government is investing in infrastructure and training for farmers, and it is also encouraging people to grow their own food. There are now many community gardens where families can grow vegetables, and some schools have started teaching gardening. Marshall Islanders are also working to protect their reefs, which are vital to the economy and their way of life. Reefs provide fish for food and income, and they also help to protect against storms and erosion. Healthy reefs are essential for the future of the Marshall Islands. The Marshall Islands were first settled by Micronesian peoples around 2,000 years ago. These early settlers brought with them a unique culture that has been passed down through the generations. The Marshall Islands were first visited by Europeans in the 16th century, and the islands were later colonized by the Germans, Japanese, and Americans. Today, the Marshall Islands are an independent nation, and the Marshallese people have retained their unique culture despite centuries of foreign influence. The Marshallese people are known for their hospitable nature and love of dance and music. The traditional diet of the Marshallese people is based on fish, coconuts, and breadfruit. The Marshallese language is a member of the Malayo-Polynesian language family, and it is closely related to the languages of other Micronesian peoples. The Marshall Islands are home to many beautiful beaches and coral reefs. The islands are also known for their WWII history, as they were the site of the Battle of Kwajalein and the Enewetak nuclear tests. Today, the Marshall Islands are a popular tourist destination, and visitors can experience the unique culture of the Marshallese people firsthand. The Marshall Islands have a long history of religious beliefs and practices. The traditional religion of the Marshallese people is based on a complex system of family relationships, duties, and obligations owed to ancestors and deities. This system is integral to Marshallese culture and society. There are four major religious groups in the Marshall Islands: the Roman Catholic Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and the Marshallese Protestant Church. The Roman Catholic Church is the largest religious group in the Marshall Islands, with about two-thirds of the population identifying as Catholic. Catholics believe in one God who created the world and all that exists in it. They also believe in the Bible as the authoritative source of religious teachings, and in the authority of the Pope. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the second-largest religious group in the Marshall Islands, with about one-third of the population identifying as Mormon. Mormons believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior and in the Bible as the word of God. They also believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet who restored the true church of Jesus Christ on the earth. The Seventh-day Adventist Church is the third-largest religious group in the Marshall Islands, with about 10% of the population identifying as Adventist. Adventists believe in the Bible as the authoritative source of religious teachings and in the authority of the Adventist Church. They also believe in the importance of keeping the Sabbath day holy. The Marshallese Protestant Church is the fourth-largest religious group in the Marshall Islands, with about 5% of the population identifying as Protestant. Protestants believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior and in the Bible as the authoritative source of religious teachings. They also believe in the authority of the Church and in the priesthood of all believers.