International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) 49th Governing Council

Press Release

International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) 49th Governing Council

11th February 2026

On the margins of the Governing Council meeting at the IFAD Headquarters, CEO Kilisitina had the opportunity to publicly officiate the newest IFAD Project approved for Tonga in 2025 – the Tonga Rural Innovation Project Phase 3 (TRIP III). CEO Kilisitina represented the Minister of Finance – Hon. Lataifaingata’a Tangimana - on behalf of the Kingdom of Tonga, while the IFAD Asia Pacific Region (APR) Regional Director – Ms. Reehana Raza, represented the President of IFAD for this auspice event.

The TRIP III project aims at expanding inclusivity, develop innovative solutions and strengthening climate resilient initiatives for rural development. The number of targeted communities will be increased from 122 as in TRIP II to now 128 in TRIP III comprising of more than 35,000 households, not only in the main island of Tongatapu but also to the most remote islands of Tonga covering up to the two Niuas.

Moreover, TRIP III will build on the successes of TRIP II since its completion in June 2025. More than 8,000 households of rural communities throughout Tonga have benefitted from the TRIP II project, especially with major target achievements on sustainable economic livelihoods and community developments such as more community gardens, sustainable land and natural resource management, and cultivated areas and tax allotment.

The Project financing for TRIP III amounts to $19.3 million which is administered by IFAD through grant funding instruments and other co-financing resources. The Project is expected to commence in 2026 with the support of the Implementing Agency – MORDI Tonga, together with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and other relevant Government Ministries.

Following the official signing of the TRIP III project, CEO Kilisitina thanked the IFAD for its generosity and continuous support for Tonga. The strong relationship between IFAD and the Kingdom of Tonga is more than just the project itself and its duration, but on the benefits that the rural people of Tonga will reap in several generations to come. However, to maintain the momentum of this relationship in the long-term, both parties need to focus on their individual roles particularly as a financier (for IFAD) and as a beneficiary (for Tonga) as outlined in the signed III agreement.

Ms. Kilisitina also reiterated how the TRIP II project had impacted the lives of many rural people of Tonga and in alignment to the Government’s priorities as a precursor for the latter Project. The steppingstone from TRIP II to TRIP III will help the Government strengthen inclusivity, innovation, and climate resilience infrastructure even in the most remote and vulnerable rural areas of Tonga.

In response, the IFAD APR Director – Ms. Reehana acknowledged the continued strong partnership and support that the Government of Tonga had demonstrated over the past years which included the support provided by the Implementing Agency - MORDI-Tonga on project implementation, the timely commitments of the Government to the IFAD 13 replenishment in 2024, and the strong support by Australia in co-financing support as well on rural development in Tonga. Ms. Reehana mentioned that IFAD is looking forward to continuing this strong partnership between Tonga and IFAD through the TRIP III Project.

END.