Society of Samoan Agricultural Professionals Launched

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 28 FEBRUARY 2023: Samoan agricultural professionals have today formed themselves into the Society of Agricultural Professionals – SOAP to assist with the country’s agricultural development.

SOAP was launched today by the Minister for Agriculture & Fisheries Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao at the Scientific Research Organization of Samoa (SROS).

SOAP will be a platform to provide technical advice to agriculture in Samoa, knowledge sharing and management, and to enhance professional/career development in the agriculture field.

Over the years, agriculture in Samoa had been relying heavily on the Government ministries as well as institutions such as USP and NUS. Some of the agriculture field aspects needed to dig deep into the specific and inherited knowledge that Samoan agriculturists do possess.

The Minister acknowledged the formation and launch of the Association which he believes will play a big role in agriculture development in Samoa and that the Association’s members who will bring in a variety of skills to assist with development.

He said Samoa has always asked overseas for assistance, but the skills, knowledge that each Association member has, the Minister believes Samoa can achieve the best out of its agricultural development.

“This initiative was prompt to assist with the roles played by the Government to ensure there is enough and through technical knowledge share and instill to farmers of Samoa in all aspects of farming,” said Laauli.

A long term strategic plan for agriculture development has been in the pipeline for some time and with the launch of the new Association, these plans can be implemented.

“The changes in technology nowadays also comes with the changing of farming practices to many of our farmers, and the old methods have to integrate with the new innovation of farming practices in order to achieve the sustainable farming objective,” he said.

He said Samoa’s agriculture has come a long way and has been the back-bone of the country’s economy, but the recent decline in its contribution to the GDP is due to many reasonable factors.

“However the influx of financial assistance to the sector needed to be well consulted on technical agriculture so that the funds remain in Samoa,” he said.

The society will start small and is calling of all Agriculture Graduates to register with $100 ($50 Annual subs and $50 Registration). Its legal framework and guidance should be drafted and follow suit.

The society is headed by its President, Secretary and Treasurer. The executive comprised of 6 members (President and Vice, Secretary and Vice, Treasurer and Vice), as well as 2 Patrons.