Protecting Tongan Agriculture and Trade

Student Activities

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1. Find the Kingdom of Tonga on the map. Use an atlas or other Internet maps to find the "ring of fire" and the trenches in the Pacific. Locate prevailing winds and latitude and longitude of Tonga. Write a summary about the effects of location on the physical features and climate of Tonga.

2. Of the 34% of the Tongan population who are economically active 50% are engaged in agricultural activity (40% of GDP), 10% are engaged in industry (12% of GDP) and 40% are engaged in services (48% of GDP). Find the total population on the map. Estimate the number of people involved in each type of industry.

   With a partner discuss the following:

   a) What services would be available in Tonga? (Look up travel books) Would these contribute to exports? Why / why not? In what ways?
   b) What types of crops are grown for the home market and export?

3. Define quarantine. (Use a dictionary) Give the meanings of quarantine as a noun and a verb. Include all aspects.

4. View quarantine and customs forms for airports and ports. Interview a visiting quarantine officer or a customs agent, airline or airport crew, shipping crew, visit a quarantine station or write to a quarantine department. Ask them questions to assist you to answer the following:
   a) Why is it important that people declare quarantinable items? What are the penalties for failing to do so?
   b) What would you need to do to comply with quarantine laws and regulations if:
   
   i) You wished to bring a pet into your country?
   ii) You wished to import livestock?
   iii) You wished to import a new species of plant for gardening or farming?
   
   c) How would these regulations be similar and different to Tongan regulations?

5. Summarise the reasons why the Quarantine Services Project is important to Tonga and other countries in the Asia- Pacific region. Include economic, environmental and social aspects.