Tonga

Tonga is an archipelagic state in the South Pacific consisting of more than 170 islands, of which around 40 are inhabited, with a total land area of approximately 747 km². The islands are primarily of volcanic and coral origin, creating a landscape of fertile soils on some islands alongside low-lying limestone formations on others. The tropical maritime climate brings warm temperatures and annual rainfall typically between 1,500 and 2,500 mm, conditions that support agriculture but also expose the country to cyclones and drought variability.

Human settlement dates back over 3,000 years, with traditional systems of subsistence farming and fishing forming the basis of land use. Tonga later developed into a Polynesian kingdom and, after a period of British protection, retained its monarchy upon gaining full independence in 1970. The primary sector continues to play a significant role in employment and rural livelihoods despite the growing importance of remittances and services.

Agriculture contributes around 15–20% of GDP and occupies a substantial share of land use. Root crops such as cassava, taro and yams are essential for domestic consumption, while squash, coconuts and vanilla are important export-oriented crops. Coconut cultivation supports copra production, which typically ranges between 10,000 and 20,000 tonnes annually, while squash production has often exceeded 50,000 tonnes per year in favourable seasons. Livestock farming is modest and includes cattle, pigs and poultry raised mainly for local markets.

Forests cover approximately 10–15% of Tonga’s land area, reflecting the limited extent of natural woodland on small islands. Timber resources are primarily used domestically, and annual log production remains small, generally below 50,000 cubic metres. Forest vegetation nevertheless plays an important role in soil protection and coastal stability.
Marine resources are a crucial component of the primary sector. Tonga’s Exclusive Economic Zone spans about 700,000 km², supporting both subsistence and commercial fisheries. Total fish production is typically estimated at around 20,000–30,000 tonnes annually, including reef fisheries and offshore tuna catches. Fisheries are vital for food security as well as for export income.

Aquaculture is developing gradually, particularly in seaweed and pearl farming. Overall, Tonga’s primary sector reflects the environmental conditions of a dispersed island system, with agriculture concentrated on fertile volcanic soils, limited forestry resources, and fisheries forming a key source of nutrition and economic activity.

In 2009, Gerold flew to Tonga for five days . He stayed at the International Dateline Hotel in Nuku'alofa on Tongatapu. During the day, he worked on Fafa Island — sitting in a chair right by the coral reef, typing up a conference paper with a WLAN connection and a beautiful view. In the evenings, he attended a Fia Fia night and also took a full-day island tour with a very talkative and knowledgeable driver. We visited a coral cave with swallows’ saliva nests (a Japanese delicacy), the landing site of James Cook, and ancient stone monuments of unknown origin and construction, reminiscent of stone hedges.

While Gerold was there, a tsunami struck, flooding Samoa and the Tongan island of Niua, causing many deaths and significant damage. In Nuku'alofa there was considerable alarm, but only a small wave reached the capital. On an island like Fafa — just 10 hectares in size and barely one metre above sea level — there would have been nowhere to run. Klaudia was at home and very worried because she couldn’t reach me by phone, but it turned out to be only a telecommunications problem.