KIRIBATI is strengthening food and nutrition security through climate-resilient agriculture, fisheries management, social protection and an offshore horticultural estate in Fiji, as scarce land, limited freshwater and heavy reliance on imported food continue to undermine diets and health outcomes.
The low-lying coral atoll nation has extremely scarce arable land, poor soil fertility and limited freshwater resources, making large-scale agriculture largely unviable.
Only around 2.5 per cent of its total land area, approximately 340 square kilometres, is suitable for cultivation, according to the World Bank.
“Food security in Kiribati is fundamentally constrained by its geography and high climate vulnerability,” the ADB Insights analysis said.
Domestic food production has been insufficient to meet demand, particularly in South Tarawa, where more than half of the population lives.
Food imports were valued at about $AUD55 million, with rice and raw sugar accounting for 19 per cent of those imports, highlighting the country’s dependence on imported staple foods and ultra-processed products.
Food imports have consistently accounted for more than one-third of total merchandise imports, according to the Centre for Collective Learning.
The dependence on imported food has contributed to a nutrition dilemma, with limited access to locally produced, nutrient-dense foods alongside high consumption of rice, sugar and ultra-processed products.
“Nutrition indicators demonstrate a clear double burden of undernutrition combined with overweight and obesity,” the analysis said.
Almost half of Kiribati’s population is obese, while the country faces a 44per cent probability of premature death from noncommunicable diseases among people aged 30 to 70, according to the Kiribati National Statistics Office.
Child malnutrition also persists. Around 15per cent of children under 5 are stunted, and 3.5 per cent are wasted, according to Kiribati National Statistics, UNICEF and the Global Nutrition Report.
Households spend an average of $AUD5.60 per person per day on food, representing around half of total daily expenditure. Diets are marginally more diverse in rural areas, but overall nutritional quality remains poor.
Climate-Resilient Food Security
Kiribati’s policy response is anchored in the Kiribati Agriculture Strategy 2020–2030 and complemented by noncommunicable disease strategies, taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages and nutrition programs.
The policies aim to promote household food security, increase local food production, reduce reliance on imported foods and integrate nutrition education, vitamin A supplementation, community health services, and water and sanitation programs.
“Current programs also include community-based food production, fisheries management, and climate-resilient food security initiatives,” the analysis said.
Development partners, including UNDP, FAO and UNICEF, are supporting sustainable coastal fisheries, local agriculture and behavioural change towards healthier diets. Home gardens, school feeding programs and the promotion of resilient traditional crops are also part of the response.
But implementation remains constrained by the country’s geography and limited resources.
“Limited arable land, poor soil quality, and scarce freshwater severely restrict agricultural productivity,” the analysis said.
Climate change is damaging crops, fisheries and water systems through drought, sea-level rise and saltwater intrusion.
High transport costs and geographic isolation add to the pressure, while weak institutional and human resource capacity, fragmented coordination and insufficient data limit monitoring and delivery.
Around 41 per cent of the population is affected by food insecurity, according to the Kiribati National Statistics Office.
The proposed response includes climate-smart agriculture, drought-resistant crops, improved irrigation and soil management, integrated farming systems and stronger value chains. Early warning systems, climate-resilient infrastructure and targeted farmer support are intended to improve resilience to climate variability.
The government is also considering targeted social protection measures, including cash payouts for supplemental food for children under 5, small grants for nutritional gardening, and subsidies for nutritious food products.
A key initiative is the development of the 5,500-acre Natoavatu Estate in Fiji as a large-scale horticultural hub.
The estate is intended to produce high-demand fruits and vegetables that are difficult to cultivate domestically and serve as an offshore production base to complement local agriculture.
“With targeted investment, the estate is expected to support commercial-scale, climate-resilient farming, alongside efficient logistics and cold-chain systems,” the analysis said.
The initiative could support agribusiness development and public–private partnerships while contributing to diversified food supply, price stability and improved access to nutritious foods.
The analysis said strengthening food and nutrition security would require sustained efforts from the Kiribati government, development partners and communities. “Building climate-resilient food systems will be an important part of improving nutrition and health outcomes for the Kiribati people and ensuring their resilience against future shocks.”
