Tuvalu Sustainability Project

AutoPot are now working with a project in Tuvalu, which is an island off the north-west coast of Australia. Tuvalu is comprised of nine coral islands, it is one of the world’s lowest lying nations, with less than four metres above sea level at its highest point. In recent times, the “king tides” have been the highest in memory, swamping many of the islands and hastening erosion and the salt water intrusion that is making soil infertile. In just the past dozen years, Tuvalu has reported sea level rises of 10 centimetres. With most Tuvaluans living just one or two metres above sea level, experts say much of the island chain may be underwater in 50 years. More than 4,000 people have already left the islands to live in New Zealand.

Our client in Tuvalu, Jeremy Blishen explains ‘The acute need for fresh food is easy for all to see. The stores on the island are completely devoid of fresh vegetables and canned goods are also running low.’ Water shortages due to serious droughts are now also a key concern, this combined with a lack of usable land on the island is causing serious concern.

Jeremy’s project involves leasing land in Tuvalu to create an agricultural site where he aims to have 2000 plants, to grow a variety of crops including pok choi, cabbage, lettuces, cucumbers and tomatoes. He contacted AutoPot initially because of the water efficiency of the systems, not one of drop of water is wasted in our systems. By using the AutoPots not only is water conservation at it upmost, crop failures from recent droughts will also be combated by involving the local community in growing their own crops in a sustainable and environmentally friendly growing system.

Jeremy is having meetings with the Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources as well as the Deputy Prime Minister to discuss the project and get it off the ground as soon as possible. He is hoping that with additional support from the government the project will be able to help even more people. The simplicity of the AutoPot technology is ideal for this project, it means that the locals can grow their own produce and learn how to utilise the technology to their advantage quickly and easily.