Tuvalu : An update

Trialling Biofilta wicking garden beds in Tuvalu

Biofilta has just returned from our third trip to Tuvalu, located 1,000km north of Fiji to discuss the success of our urban food growing trials and to work with key stakeholders to discuss broader community #urbanag opportunities. Recently, our Foreign Minister visited the site of our trials to see how local food is being grown in small spaces at the University of South Pacific using the Foodwall systems provided through #AustralianAid. These units have been growing food for 9 months now and have not needed any additional water as the rainfall keeps topping up the reservoirs in each tub that lasts for weeks between rain events. Hundreds of families and now benefiting from more available green vegetables being grown using local materials above the salinated ground in our systems. This trip, we also looked at broader urban farming opportunities with our new Foodcube #wickingbed product, made in Australia from recycled food grade plastic. This system has great potential to address the issues of food security caused by climate change and has the ability to accept compost made from local organic sources to help close the nutrient loop and improve nutrition. This program is supported by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.