Sogi, Samoa – Government officials, development partners, and key stakeholders gathered at the Tanoa Hotel in Sogi today to validate Samoa’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative (HIHI) Investment Plan. The initiative, designed to enhance Samoa’s agriculture sector, focuses on improving value chains for three key products: cocoa, coconut, and taro.
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt, opened the workshop by highlighting the importance of collaboration between the government, farmers, and development partners.
“Our aim is to ensure that this investment plan reflects the realities of Samoa’s agriculture and aligns with the aspirations of our people,” Schmidt said in his opening remarks.
“This is a significant step toward transforming our food systems and securing sustainable growth for Samoa’s agricultural sector.”
The HIHI Investment Plan is the result of months of research and consultations, including an Inception Workshop held on 15th August 2024. The plan aims to bolster food security, increase farmer income, and promote sustainable growth in Samoa’s agricultural sector.
Madam Xiangjun Yao, Sub-Regional Coordinator of the FAO Office in the Pacific, emphasized the collective effort involved in developing the plan. “This initiative is built on the hard work and insights of everyone involved, from the government to the farmers who work directly on the land. It’s important that we continue to collaborate to ensure this plan is practical and achievable,” Yao said.
Participants at the workshop were encouraged to contribute their expertise to strengthen the final version of the plan, which will be presented at the World Food Forum in Rome this October. The plan is expected to provide a strategic framework for improving Samoa’s agricultural productivity and food systems.
The Minister closed the workshop by thanking all attendees for their dedication and contributions. “Your input today is crucial in shaping a plan that will serve our communities for generations to come,” he said.
The Hand-in-Hand Initiative Investment Plan represents Samoa’s commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agriculture sector, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
