Food Security

Covid-free countries not immune to food insecurity

Samoa's Minister of Agriculture Laauli Leuatea said that national initiatives to lessen Samoa's chronic dependency on food imports, were being held back.

"Our efforts have been slowed down due to the closing down of our borders and our state of emergency rules to limit the introduction and spread of the Covid-19 virus," said Leautea.

"These have resulted in further reductions in our food and income security due to the financial pressures of the regular disruptions in the food supply chain."

Samoa records higher rate in obesity

The report releases recently observed that obesity stood at 46 percent in 2016.

According to findings of the report, the high rate of adult obesity observed in Samoa (almost 46 per cent in 2016) points to access to an amount of dietary energy, which is well above the minimum amount of dietary energy needed by the population to be in good health and to be socially active.

Furthermore, the survey results are confirmed by the high number of deaths caused by non-communicable diseases (N.C.D.s) in Samoa.

Report warns food process a recipe for disaster in the Pacific

In the Pacific, it's triggering what the aid organisation is calling a "pandemic of child malnutrition".

Researchers found that food prices have gone up significantly in many Pacific countries, including by nearly a third in Vanuatu.

There is also evidence that one in five Pacific households have been eating cheaper meals, or skipping some altogether, because they can no longer afford a healthy diet.

Women vital in agriculture: APEC

The APEC economies have been urged to work together to waver the challenges and create opportunities for women participation in sustainable agriculture and fisheries for food security and revenue generation.

PNG delegate and Chief Livestock Advisor with the Department of Agriculture and Livestock, Regina Nukundj, said women in agriculture and fisheries play an important role in supporting their households and communities.

Tuilaepa warns against cheap food imports

RNZ reports about 120 delegates are attending the three-day conference 2nd Pacific Agribusiness Forum in Samoa's capital.

Tuilaepa told growers, manufacturers, restaurant and hotel owners at the Apia conference that the influx of imported food had contributed to health problems for islanders.

"Consumption of fruits and vegetables is low and vitamin and mineral deficiencies widespread," he said.

"We often experience food-borne illnesses which compromise the ability of Pacific food products to meet export standards."

No food concerns in Samoa after Cyclone Amos

RNZI reports the category two cyclone struck the country on Saturday night much weaker than feared, but heavy rains and strong winds still caused some flooding, landslides and other minor damage.

The chief executive of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Suluimalo Amataga Penaia, said some plantations had been damaged, but many had come through ok.

Framework to assist in assessment of snails on food security

This was discussed during a workshop on ‘Food Security and Bio-Security in Melanesia’,  organised by The University of the South Pacific’s (USP) School of Biological and Chemical Sciences (SBCS) at the Laucala campus in Suva on 5 April, 2016.

The workshop looked at land snails as pest agents, including biosecurity risks and disease transfer, and how introduced species leads to the decline in self-sufficiency and healthy food production. The potential for using edible native snails and their sustainable use was also discussed.