From Left Samoa’s Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt, and PHAMA Plus Country Manager, Kuinimeri Finau during the official signing of the MOU.
MAF partners with PHAMA Plus to address taro shortage in Samoa
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) has signed a new partnership with the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus (PHAMA Plus) Program to address the reduction in supply of taro in Samoa.
A Memorandum of Understanding, signed by Samoa’s Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Honourable Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt, and PHAMA Plus, will see over 500,000 high-quality taro planting material known as tiapula distributed to 100 target commercial growers who supply exporters.
“This new partnership will support MAF’s efforts to assist Samoa’s taro growers and businesses address the shortage of taro with an immediate solution of tiapula distribution. Our continued partnership with Australia and New Zealand’s PHAMA Plus Program to establish more commercial nurseries, not just for taro but other root crops too, provides a long-term and more sustainable solution,” said Honorable Schmidt.
