In Samoa, FAO Director-General visits Samoa-China Agricultural Technical Assistance Project, Onshore Aquaculture Facility and key local markets

Apia, Samoa – FAO Director-General QU Dongyu visited the Samoa-China Agricultural Technical Assistance Project, as well as an Onshore Aquaculture Facility and local farmers and markets, during a two-day official visit to this Pacific island nation.

Under the current phase of the Samoa-China Agricultural Technical Assistance Project (SCATAP), which the FAO delegation visited, China is providing 16 experts to Samoa. Their focus areas include vegetable farming, fruit tree cultivation, broiler farming, pig farming, feed processing, Juncao hybrid grass, and agricultural machinery. They are training 2,000 Samoan participants and also offering lectures in collaboration with a local university campus.

The Director-General toured the Samoa-China Demonstration Farm, which serves as a practical training center for students from the university.

He emphasized that cultivation practices should be tailored to local conditions, addressing the specific needs of local markets and target communities and underscored the importance of continually improving planting efficiency to increase yields and profitability. Additionally, he highlighted the need for strengthened storage management and effective pest and disease control to ensure sustainable project outcomes.

The Director-General went on to visit a small-scale vegetable producer in Aleisa, about 12 km from the capital, where farmers primarily cultivate cucumbers and cabbages. He particularly underlined FAO’s role in supporting project implementation and enhancing farmers' incomes. Acknowledging the significant challenges posed by pests and diseases, he highlighted the importance of using biodegradable mulch film. This approach effectively addresses pest and disease issues, preserves soil health, reduces salinization, prevents the spread of waterborne diseases, and controls weeds and pests, ultimately boosting yields.

He then visited the Onshore Aquaculture Facility developed by Samoa’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) to support sustainable fish farming practices and enhance local seafood production. The facility primarily focuses on the cultivation of tilapia and shrimp, adopting sustainable aquaculture practices to minimize environmental impact and ensure long-term viability.

The Director-General noted the facility’s contributions to sustainable fish farming and local seafood production, highlighting its role in supporting livelihoods and advancing aquaculture research in Samoa.

Earlier, the FAO Director-General visited the historic Savalalo Fish Market in the heart of Apia, one of the country's primary fish markets, serving as a crucial connection point between local fishermen and consumers and representing an important cultural and economic landmark.

The Director-General highlighted the importance of enhancing cold chain and storage technologies to better support local fishermen and ensure the quality and freshness of seafood for consumers.

He also visited the Fugalei Market, which serves as Apia’s main hub for fresh produce and handicrafts. This dual purpose makes it an important venue for both food security and cultural preservation.

During his visit to Samoa, the Director-General also attended the launch of Samoa’s Forest Reference Level Report, developed under the FAO Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP), in a collaborative effort with the country’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment .

The Director-General recognized Samoa's National Forest Reference Level Report as a valuable tool for advancing sustainable forestry and monitoring forest management progress, noting its role in supporting Samoa’s climate resilience efforts in the Pacific.