Government has allocated $800,000 in 2026/27, and a total of $2.3 million over four years, towards supporting farmers and improving supply chain and access to market.

The funding has been welcomed as a significant step towards strengthening food security, but growers and industry representatives say the success of the investment will depend on how the money is spent and whether it delivers practical support on the ground.

Prime Minister Mark Brown, while presenting the National Budget in Parliament late last month, described the funding as part of a broader strategy to improve food security, reduce dependence on imported goods and build resilience across the Cook Islands.

“Through this Budget, we are establishing a Food Security and Import Substitution fund to support local food production, build resilience against global supply disruptions, and ensure our communities – including those across the Pa Enua – are better prepared for the future,” PM Brown said.

“This fund will bring together agricultural support programmes under a more coordinated and focused approach and will be managed by the Ministry of Agriculture.

“To support this important initiative, we have allocated $800,000 in 2026/27, and a total of $2.3 million over four years. This is an investment for our farmers, our families, our island communities and our national resilience.”
While welcoming the support, Te Tango Enua growers’ association president Danny Mataroa has called for the funding to be directed straight to farmers rather than consultants and feasibility studies.

However, Mataroa said that before any money is spent, a nationwide audit should be conducted to establish what crops are currently in the ground, what is being harvested and what production is planned.

“That way, we have a starting point data,” he said. “By the end of each year, we should be able to report and account to our bosses, the taxpayers, on how we have spent their hard-earned money.”

Mataroa said the Cook Islands imports approximately $30 million worth of food annually, much of which could be produced locally.

He warned against repeating mistakes of the past where large amounts of money were spent on consultants and studies.

“In the past, too much funds have been spent on consultants and feasibility studies. Reports are filed, gathering dust on government shelves – not much action done on the ground.

“Let’s not spend this fund on another feasibility study, except the starting base audit.”

Mataroa proposed that direct assistance be provided to growers, with grants ranging from $2000 to $5000 allocated directly to farmers involved in vegetables, fruit, floriculture, livestock and poultry production.

The funding, he suggested, should cover seeds, fertiliser, irrigation, machinery, labour, fencing, packaging, value-adding and other essential farm inputs.

“The time to talk is past. No more consultations, time for action,” Mataroa said.

“For me, the most important and priority allocation is the direct to farmer assistance.”

Ngati Kainuku representative and Kai Natura Taokotai Ltd (KNT) executive member Andre Jensen supported the direction proposed by Mataroa and Te Tango Enua.

“The proposed funding presents an opportunity to move beyond reports and consultations and place resources directly into production on the ground,” Jensen said.

He identified three priorities for the fund – establishing a national production baseline, directing resources to active producers and ensuring funding is linked to measurable outcomes.

“The greatest return on investment will come from placing resources directly into the hands of active producers,” Jensen said.

He said support for irrigation, machinery, fencing, labour and value-adding infrastructure would have an immediate impact on local food production and food security.

“The Cook Islands currently imports approximately $30 million worth of food annually,” Jensen said. “Every additional dollar of local production strengthens our economy, creates jobs and improves national resilience.”

Cook Islands United Party leader and Opposition MP Teariki Heather, who is also a grower, welcomed support for agriculture but questioned whether the allocation would be enough to create meaningful change.

“It might be sort of the bigger deal, but I don’t think it’s enough,” Heather said.

The Murienua MP also stressed that food security extends beyond crop production and includes livestock and poultry.

Drawing from his own experience as a farmer, Heather identified machinery shortages as one of the biggest barriers facing growers.

“The challenges for farmers are mostly availability of machinery. That is very much a key issue, right around Rarotonga.”

He said fertiliser costs and inconsistent supply remain major concerns, while fewer young people are entering agriculture.

“If the Government really thinks it’s going to grow the agriculture sector, it’s (the funding) not enough.”

Heather argued that greater investment in machinery, fertiliser subsidies and technical support would be required if Government is serious about reducing food imports and expanding local production.

“I think $3 million would have been an ideal sort of amount of money to be able to produce all that annually.”

He also called for stronger agricultural extension services, saying ministry officers should be actively visiting growers and providing practical advice.

“There’s a lot of things that needs to be done to get the agriculture up and running again.”