Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries

New Samoa MAF CEO appointed

The appointment was approved by Samoa‘s Cabinet recently following a recommendation by the Interview Panel.

The announcement was revealed in a statement issued by the Office of the Press Secretariat.

The newly appointed MAF CEO has served two consecutive terms as the Chief Executive Officer of the Scientific Research Organization of Samoa (S.R.O.S.) over the last six years.

Seuseu began his career as a Quarantine Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture in 2002 and consistently worked his way up on promotion.

Samoa launches new Agriculture and Fisheries sector plan

The plan aims to enhance resilience and to build a sustainable agriculture.

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries La’auli Leuatea Polataivao Fosi said the plan was a result of the increasing threats posed by climate change shocks, different Government launched Agriculture and Fisheries Sector Plan types of pests and diseases, invasive species and unsustainable farming.

"We aim to achieve this national vision for the sector through the goal to increase the sustainable contribution of the sector to food, nutrition and income security, and economic growth.”

Samoa local farmers continue to be supported by ‘Matching Grant Programme’

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries said the windows 1 applications consisting of subsistence, semi subsistence and semi commercial farmers and fishers, closed in June 2020.

“All of the eligible beneficiaries in Savaii have received their approved goods and services. We are currently progressing the distribution of goods and services for beneficiaries in Upolu and Manono, with the final verification process for the remaining beneficiaries.”

Local Samoan farmers praised for progressing sustainable food and income security

The farmers are members of the Punauli Farmers and Fisheries Association that hosted its first Talomua on Saturday. The event was organised by the Association in partnership with farmers and fishers of Siumu.

The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt said the event indicated good collaboration within the village to drive agriculture and fisheries development to sustain food, nutrition and income security.

He thanked and congratulated the Punauli Association for the successful coordination of the Talomua event.

Samoa’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries strives to improve Agriculture Sector Plan

   MAF Chief Executive Officer, Tilafono David Hunter said they are working closely with partners and stakeholders to better performance.

"From these evaluations, we will see if the Ministry followed the procedures and guidelines from the last sector plan, and also to see what benefit we have, see if our work and the help we provide meets with the needs of our stakeholders and partners, and find out some challenges to work on in the next five years.”

Savaii farmers and fishermen sign grant agreement to mark milestone

The Ministry’s CEO, Tilafono David Hunter said it is an important progress for the SAPFROM project since it was signed in 2019 between the Government of Samoa and their key donor partners, World Bank and the International Fund for Agriculture Development.

“When SAFPROM was officially signed, we received over 3,000 applications for the Matching Grant Progamme from around the country. The large numbers of applications went through a comprehensive screening and verification process last year.”

Increased shark sightings good news for Samoa fishery - ministry

According to Newsline Samoa acting chief executive of the Fisheries division, Magele Eteuati Ropeti, said the increased sightings were an indication that there are plenty of fish in Samoa's waters.

But he also said having more sharks in the area makes it riskier for people fishing and he urged the public to exercise more caution in the water.

Magele said a team from the Fisheries Division had to cancel an ocean survey at Taga last week because sharks were sighted in the area.

20 new Fish Aggregating Devices deployed in Samoa

The project is one of four major undertaking unveiled this week by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leauatea Polataivao Fosi says the deployment of FADs is a huge challenge because it was costly and difficult to maintain as most FADs were lost due to poor designs and at most times destroyed by our own fishers.