Why is agriculture difficult on Tuvalu’s islands?

Agriculture on the islands of Tuvalu is limited primarily because the soils are porous. This soil composition, combined with the low-lying nature of the islands—most of which are only 13 to 16 feet (4 to 5 meters) above sea level—creates significant challenges for cultivation.1

Furthermore, the islands lack rivers, meaning that residents must rely entirely on rain catchment and wells for their fresh water supply. This scarcity of fresh water, coupled with the threat of saltwater intrusion—where seawater infiltrates groundwater supplies—further restricts the potential for productive farming. As a result of these environmental constraints, the country has become increasingly dependent on imported food.12