Agriculture and food in Tokelau

Agriculture in Tokelau

Tokelau is an island nation in the South Pacific. It consists of three atolls: Atafu, Nukunonu, and Fakaofo. The capital city is located on AtafuAtoll. The population of Tokelau is about 1,500 people. The main language spoken on the islands is Tokelauan, but English is also widely spoken. The majority of the population is Christian. The economy of Tokelau is based mostly on fishing and agriculture. Tourism is also a significant source of income for the island nation. Tokelau is a member of the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Nations. The islands are an Associated State of New Zealand. Tokelau is an archipelago of three atolls in the South Pacific Ocean. It is located about 500 miles (800 km) northeast of Samoa and 2,900 miles (4,700 km) southwest of Hawaii. Its name comes from the Tokelauan word for "north wind." The islands are covered with coconut palms, pandanus trees, and other foliage. There are no rivers or streams on the islands. The lagoon surrounding the atolls is about 1,000 feet (300 m) deep. The atolls are surrounded by a reef that is about 50 yards (46 m) wide. There are several passes through the reef that allow ships to enter the lagoon. The climate of Tokelau is tropical, with an average temperature of about 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius). The islands experience little rainfall, averaging about 30 inches (76 cm) per year. The population of Tokelau was estimated at 1,500 in July 2018. Most of the residents are of Polynesian descent. The official languages of Tokelau are English and Tokelauan. The largest settlement on the islands is Fale, located on Atafu Atoll. Other settlements include Nukunonu and Olosega. The economy of Tokelau is based on subsistence agriculture and fishing. Copra, coconuts, and fish are the main products. Tokelau also exports stamps and handicrafts. The government of Tokelau is a parliamentary democracy. The head of state is the British monarch, represented by the governor-general of New Zealand. The head of government is the prime minister. The legislature is General Fono, which consists of the Council of Faipule and the Assembly of Tokelau. Tokelau has been a territory of New Zealand since 1925. It is self-governing but relies on New Zealand for defense, foreign affairs, and financial assistance. In February 2006, the people of Tokelau voted in a referendum to become a fully self-governing state in free association with New Zealand. The vote was non-binding, and the matter is still under negotiation. Tokelau is home to a wide variety of plant and animal life, including many endemic species. The Tokelau Islands are part of the Polynesian ecoregion, which includes the Hawaiian Islands, Samoa, French Polynesia, and other island groups in the central and southern Pacific Ocean. Tokelau's terrestrial ecosystem is dominated by lowland forest, with palms and scrublands at higher elevations. There are four species of native land birds, all of which are endemic to Tokelau: the Tokehau (Pseudonestor xanthopus), the Fakanaese Gerygone (Gerygone insularis), the Atafu Fantail (Rhipidura atafuensis), and the Nukunonu Golden-crowned Sparrow (Passer iagoensis). There are also three species of introduced land birds: the Pacific Pigeon (Ducula pacifica), the Yellow-eyed Pigeon (Columba versicolor), and the Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis). The Tokelau Islands are home to a wide variety of marine life, including many reef-dwelling fish and invertebrates. The reefs around the islands are some of the most diverse in the world, with over 500 species of coral and 1,000 species of fish. Many of these species are endemic to Tokelau, including the Tokelau parrotfish (Chlorurus frontalis) and the Tokelau angelfish (Centropyge tokelauensis). The waters around Tokelau are also home to several species of sharks, including the tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier), the bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas), and the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias). Additionally, there are several species of rays and skates that can be found in the waters around Tokelau. Tokelau's economy is based primarily on subsistence agriculture and fishing. Copra (dried coconut meat) and tropical timber are the only significant export commodities, and both are produced in limited quantities. About 90% of the food consumed in Tokelau is grown or caught locally. Pigs and chickens are raised for home consumption, and beef cattle are kept on Atafu and Nukunonu. Most houses have large gardens where yams, taro, bananas, and coconuts are grown. Fishing is the primary occupation of Tokelauans; most families eat fish every day. The economy is heavily dependent on remittances from family members working in New Zealand, which totaled about $5 million in 1996. The government is the largest employer, with about 60% of the labor force employed by the public sector. In recent years, the government has been encouraging the private sector to create jobs and has been working to develop the tourism industry. The Tokelauan economy is relatively healthy, with a GDP per capita of US$3,000 in 2016. However, the country faces several challenges, including its isolation, limited resources, and dependence on remittances. In addition, climate change is a major threat to the economy and way of life of the Tokelauan people. The government is working to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on remittances. It is also investing in renewable energy, such as solar power, to offset the effects of climate change. Tokelau agriculture is based on coconut palms and taro. There are also yams, breadfruit, and bananas. Pigs and chickens are raised for food. Fishing is an important part of the Tokelau economy, with tuna being the main catch. Tourism is also a significant source of income for the islands. There are three main types of agriculture in Tokelau: subsistence, cash crop, and mixed. Subsistence agriculture is the traditional form of agriculture in Tokelau, and is still the dominant form today. It is based on the cultivation of crops for home consumption, with any surplus being sold or exchanged for other goods. The main crops grown are coconuts, taro, yams, breadfruit, and bananas. Pigs and chickens are also raised for food. Cash crop agriculture is based on the cultivation of crops for sale, rather than for home consumption. The main cash crops grown in Tokelau are coconuts and copra (dried coconut meat). Tourism is also a significant source of income for the islands. Mixed agriculture is a combination of subsistence and cash crop agriculture. The main crops grown are coconuts, taro, yams, breadfruit, and bananas. Pigs and chickens are also raised for food. Fishing is an important part of the Tokelau economy, with tuna being the main catch. Tourism is also a significant source of income for the islands. Tokelau is heavily dependent on imported food, as the soil is not particularly fertile and there is limited arable land. The main food staples are imported rice, flour, and tinned fish. Vegetables and fruits are also imported, although there is some limited production of these crops on the islands. Tokelau is a country located in the Pacific Ocean. It is made up of three small atolls, which are located about 500 miles (800 km) north of Samoa. The total land area of Tokelau is just over 10 square miles (26 sq km). Despite its small size, Tokelau has a population of about 1,500 people. The vast majority of Tokelauans are Christian, with the largest denominations being the Catholic Church and the Protestant Church of Tokelau. There is also a small number of Muslims and Hindus living on the atolls. Tokelau has a long history of Christianity, which was introduced to the islands by missionaries in the early 19th century. Catholicism is the predominant religion, and there are two Catholic churches on each of the three atolls. The Protestant Church of Tokelau was established in 1845, and today there are seven churches belonging to this denomination on the islands. Muslims make up less than 1% of the population, but there is a mosque on one of the atolls. There is also a Hindu temple, which was built in 2010. Tokelau does not have any official religion, but Christianity is the de facto religion of the country. Sunday is a day of rest and worship for most Tokelauans. Church services are held in both English and Tokelauan, and many hymns are sung in the latter language. There is a strong emphasis on family values and community life in Tokelauan society. Tokelau is a remote country, and its isolation has helped to preserve many of its traditional customs and beliefs. However, the modern world is gradually encroaching on Tokelau, and the country is facing many challenges in the 21st century. These include climate change, overfishing, and the need to find new sources of income. Despite these challenges, the people of Tokelau remain proud of their culture and way of life.