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The Niue Agro-processing facility was opened in April 2014 and continues to ensure that agriculture products are processed to higher valued, more competitive quality standards for various local and export markets outlets.   The project was supported under the FAO Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) which funded the construction of a small food product development and processing unit and provided processing equipment. After the project officially ended, the Niue Agro-processing facility remained under the management...

Commemorations for World Food Day 2015 and FAO 70th Anniversary took place in FAO member countries throughout the Pacific. In Samoa, the celebrations took place at the opening of the Agriculture & Fisheries Show hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries of Samoa. “The Agriculture Show’s aim is to show-case the best of agricultural commodities and products that are produced in the agricultural sector”. Said Minister of Agriculture. Hon. Le Mamea...

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), Samoa Tourism Authority (STA) and communities from the island of Savai’i are partnering to explore development of ecotourism. This development is one component of a regional project on ‘Forestry and Protected Management ‘facilitated by the Global Environment Facility Pacific Alliance for Sustainability. The project aims to enhance sustainable livelihoods for local communities living...

The FAO Subregional office of the Pacific Island is pleased to welcome Jessica Sanders, who is now a Fisheries Officer in Apia, Samoa. Jessica joins the Subregional office following 10 years in FAO Rome where she worked for the Policy, Institutions and Economics Service of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Department. Jessica holds a Master Degree in International Environmental Policy and a BA in Environmental Studies. Jessica brings experience in policy and...

Melina Lamai is a subsistence farmer from Blacksands in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Tropical Cyclone Pam struck Vanuatu on March 13 2015, causing widespread damage and destruction throughout the country. Melina was one of many affected. Melina lives with her husband, two children and six grandchildren. Her busy lifestyle means she spends most days at home meeting the needs of the three generations in the household; cooking, cleaning and gardening are high...

The Samoa Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc and FAO are partnering to address risk to agricultural lending. Rural finance is an important element and catalyst to rural development. Yet the lack of capacity and structures to adequately deal with both the business and financial system risks has led to underwhelming results. Millions of dollars has been invested into rural finance, especially agricultural credit and yet rural communities have little to...

The Global Environment Facility - Pacific Alliance for Sustainability Program 4 (GEF PAS 4) Forest and Protected Area Management Fiji Project is supporting the development of the Nabalasere ecotourism venture in Fiji. Villagers from Nabalasere have established an ecotourism venture with a magnificent waterfall as its main attraction. Nabalasere waterfall is an extension of the water system that begins from Mount Tomaniivi, which is the highest peak in Fiji. Nabalasere is one...

Papua New Guinea is embarking on its first national forest inventory (NFI) under the understanding to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD)+. PNG introduced the concept of REDD+ into international negotiations at the 13th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 13), in Bali in 2007.  PNG has taken a global lead in seeking to combat climate change, particularly by proposing measures...

Planners, statisticians and policy makers from 13 Pacific Island countries are gathering in Nadi, Fiji, today to improve the collection and use of agricultural and fisheries statistics in the Pacific. Timely and accurate statistics will help governments make evidence-based policy decisions and monitor the successful implementation of policy objectives. The workshop on "Strategic Planning for Agriculture and Fisheries Statistics for Pacific Island Countries" is organised by the European Union supported Pacific Agriculture...

Countries in the Pacific Islands are susceptible to natural disasters. While disasters have always occurred, indications suggest that their frequency and intensity are increasing. In particular, climate change is predicted to increase the frequency and intensity of disaster events in the future. This increase of frequency and intensity of natural disasters requires a more holistic approach in dealing with natural disasters. In response to increasing losses of life and damage to property,...