The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, hosted an Inception workshop today, August 15, 2024 at the Sheraton hotel. The event aimed to bring together key stakeholders including farmers and exporters, to discuss Samoa's Hand-In-Hand Initiative (HiHi) Investment.

Samoa, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, has expressed its intention to join the HiHi Investment for 2024. The FAO has committed to providing technical support for its implementation in Samoa. The Investment Plan for Samoa will focus on three key value chain commodities (cocoa, coconut and taro) and will be presented at the World Food Forum (WFF) in Rome, Italy in October 2024.

Cocoa, taro, and coconut are more than just crops to Samoa. They are integral components of our cultural heritage, our daily sustenance, and our economic backbone. By focusing on these three key commodities, we are not only preserving our traditions but also unlocking the potential for increased productivity, value addition, and market access.

The Hand-in-Hand initiative embodies the spirit of collaboration and inclusivity. It brings together the government, development partners, private sector, and our farming communities to work hand in hand towards a common vision. This holistic approach ensures that the strategies and interventions we develop are grounded in the realities and needs of our people, fostering a sense of ownership and empowerment.

The objective of this inception workshop is to officially launch and outline the HiH initiative in Samoa. The aim is to inform all stakeholders, farmers and exporters about the investment plans and seek their guidance, input and feedback from them on the economic and financial analysis, as well as presentation's development. The main goal is to develop an investment plan that is driven entirely by national priorities and processes.

END.

SOURCE - Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries - Samoa