Gov’t pushes Island Focus Initiative to meet tourism demand

February 18, 2026 10:06 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Ezra Toara & Kizzy Kalsakau.

The Government is strengthening its Island Focus Initiative (IFI) to lift food production and support farmers, particularly as tourism developments expand across the country.

The initiative targets specific commodities on selected islands, with kava identified as one of the key crops to support farmers’ incomes. This approach also explains why government ministers are visiting islands to engage directly with farmers and local communities.

During a Talkback programme on Capitol FM107 with Kizzy Kalsakau, Director General (DG) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, and Biosecurity (MALFB), Timothy Tumukon, explained that several national initiatives are underway, including the Lelepa Island project on Efate, linked to the Royal Caribbean cruise development.

He confirmed that the project has already been rolled out, with the first cruise ship expected to call at Lelepa Island in 2027.

According to DG Tumukon, the Prime Minister has briefed officials that Royal Caribbean has shared details on the type and volume of food supplies required once cruise operations begin.

“They have provided a list of food items and quantities they will need, including container loads of specific produce,” he said.

He noted that food security remains a challenge, with current production already struggling to meet domestic needs, let alone additional demand from tourism.

“This raises the question of how we will produce enough food to feed the tourists who are coming,” he said.

The IFIs are intended to respond to this challenge by putting measures in place to ensure sufficient food supply for visitors arriving through the Lelepa Island cruise project.

Mr. Tumukon said similar demand will come from other major developments, including the Havannah Harbour Marina project, proposed marina developments in Santo, and the expansion of Pekoa International Airport, all expected to increase visitor numbers.

He added that Santo has been identified as the future economic hub, making it necessary to rework agricultural planning to meet both local and tourism demand.

“We need to make sure we have enough food for our people and our visitors as these developments progress,” he said.

He also raised concerns about whether preparation time is sufficient, particularly for the Lelepa Island cruise project.

“Do we have enough time to produce enough eggs, enough chicken, or enough pigs?” he asked.

As part of the response, the Ministry is identifying “champion farmers” who are prepared for large-scale production and able to work closely with the Government and tourism partners.

“The IFI focuses on farmers who are ready to increase production on the ground,” he said.

He clarified that the initiative does not exclude other farmers, but instead prioritises infrastructure and targeted support for those able to produce at scale.

Mr. Tumukon also observed that many people selling produce at Port Vila markets are gardeners rather than commercial farmers.

“Farmers are those with 10 to 15 hectares of land, access to machinery, and the ability to produce large volumes,” he said.

He added that the Government aims to work with producers capable of supplying tonnes of food within months, as they are best positioned to meet national food needs and the growing tourism market.