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Commodity export price and external demand continues to drive the production sector in 2016 and 2017. The production in this sector is estimated to increase by 4.9% in 2016 following the recovery efforts made after Tropical Cyclone Pam and EL Nino's impact in 2015. Growth in the sector is expected to remain solid at 4.7% in 2017, 3.1% in 2018 and maintain a stable growth of 2.9% in 2019 and 2020 respectively. Despite these developments, the agriculture sector continues to experience challenges in production including climate change events and other external shocks.

(...) Research field work conducted by the Vanuatu Agriculture Research and Technical Centre (VARTC) and locally-based researchers into varieties of taro and yam on major producing islands have found that Vanuatu is facing conservation and genetic improvement issues. If taro and yam are promoted as cash crops, the loss of genetic diversity may become a barrier for increasing production.

Vanuatu's inability to increase and sustain agricultural production is exacerbated by the negatives effects of climate change and climate variability. With temperatures increasing, seasonal rainfall patterns shifting, and extreme events more frequent and severe, the incidence of heat, water, pest/disease and soil fertility stress are drastically hampering already risk prone production. While agricultural climate adaptation programs are now widespread (e.g. via SPCGIZ, the World Bank and others) there is still a severe deficit in climate knowledge, information, technology and implementation for vulnerable farmers.

(...) Vanuatu embraces a balanced approach fisheries and biodiversity through sustainable conservation, management and development. The Policy focuses on improving fisheries governance and sustainable and economically viable fisheries and aquaculture, access to finance: (...)

In year 2013, the Government of Vanuatu has developed a National Energy Road Map (NERM) with a view to energizing Vanuatu's growth and development through the provision of secure, affordable, widely accessible, high quality, and clean energy services. At that time, the NERM identified five priorities for the energy sector: (...) climate change. It sets out objectives, targets and actions to achieve these priorities and contribute to the NERM's overall vision. (...)

Other ministries, departments and agencies involved in trade-related activities include: (...) the Ministry of Climate Change and Natural Disaster; (...)

(...) The government had help in implementation of priority policy measures roll out in late 2015 and 2016 going forward to address sectors affected by the natural disasters through the national sustainable development plan goals and objectives (2016-2030).

(...) It recognises maintaining a pristine natural environment on land and at sea that serves food, cultural, economic and ecological needs with enhanced resilience and adaptive capacity to climate change and natural disasters. (...)

(...) The main energy source is diesel combustion, contributing to about 80% of the total electricity generated, while windmills, and hydro and solar power produce the rest. (...)

Vanuatu Investment Promotion Authority (VIPA) is governed by a Board of Directors, which makes the overall decisions to approve investment application proposals. The Board evaluates the application, and may require the investor to submit an environment impact assessment. (...)