China provides 6.1 million RMB for phase 2 of the agricultural demonstration farm (linked to Record ID#s #39248, #65028, #65029, #37707)

On January, 28, 2011, an agreement for the second phase of the technical cooperation project for Tonga Farm was signed in which China committed assistance in the agricultural sector.

This included the implementation of phase two of the Sino-Tonga ecological farm project, which is a Chinese agricultural demonstration farm (for phase one, see #39248). This project was funded by a Chinese grant of 6.1 million RMB. For phase 2, China sent 5 experts and an interpreter to assist in project implementation.

The technical assistance involved training on large-scale mushroom cultivation, duck raising, pig farming, sweet potato powder processing, and use of biogas. The group also provided training on Vaini Farm and assist in building 10 methane generating pits. This team implemented the project from January 2011 to June 2012.

It was reported that there are 8 Chinese Agriculture experts living on Tongatapu providing regular on-site maintenance and repair services for the biogas project. Hunan International Engineering Cooperation Company was involved in the implementation of this project. Loan applications and disbursements are still being received and processed as the projects continue to evolve.

Ongoing monitoring and evaluation are in place to ensure project continuity.