Samoa's agriculture minister Lopao'o Natanielu Mu'a is the driving force behind the scheme in which farmers grow Jewish bananas introduced from South Africa.
Lopao'o initially came under fire for coaxing big commercial farmers to spearhead the scheme which has now resulted in 500 cartons of bananas being sent to New Zealand.
The Samoa Observer reports the President of the Banana Farmers Association, Tuisugaletaua Sofara Aveau saying he hoped the scheme continues to bear fruit as it will benefit the country as a whole.
