SAMOA

SAMOA

MDF works throughout Samoa highlights the key focus areas of Agricultural Inputs, feral Pig Management and Kava.

SAMOA

Samoa Quick Facts
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Key Focus Area

Agriculture

Agriculture remains significant  to Samoa’s economy. It provides income for around 24 per cent  of households and accounts  for an estimated 11 per cent of the country’s GDP. Some of the commodities exported from Samoa include coconut oil and cream, copra, taro and cocoa .

Given the relevance of agriculture to Samoa’s economy and household livelihoods, MDF focused itswork on agriculture, including on kava, feral pigs, agricultural mechanisation, agricultural inputs and cocoa. Low productivity and inconsistent supply remain a major challenge for many farmers, which is largely due to traditional, low-yielding farming practices. Agricultural firms continue to be impacted by migration-induced labour shortages, and many farmers are affected by feral pigs damaging crops.

Climate Change

Samoa is highly vulnerable to climate change, with projected impacts posing severe threats to its communities, environment and economy. According to the World Bank Climate Change Portal, disaster years bring substantial economic and social shocks, frequently impacting over 40 per cent of the population and resulting in significant economic losses.

Tropical cyclones are a big concern, due to destructive flash floods damaging essential infrastructure, properties and food crops. Although the mean annual rainfall may not change significantly due to climate change, extreme rainfall events are predicted to be more frequent and intense, heightening the risk of flooding and soil erosion. Rising annual and daily temperatures are expected to increase stress on human health and agricultural productivity. Sea levels in Samoa are projected to rise faster than the global average, intensifying threats of storm surges and coasting flooding. This endangers critical infrastructure, ecosystems and livelihoods, particularly in low-lying areas.

In 2024, MDF worked on the following opportunities to mitigate climate change and increase climate resilience and adaptation:

  • Kava is susceptible to climate change-induced weather events. MDF’s partner, Samoa Herbs, developed a kava growing guide, which will help farmers cope with anticipated climate-related changes.

  • Farmers have limited access to high-quality seeds that are resilient to unpredictable weather patterns and tolerant to pest and diseases.

  • MDF completed a solar demand study of households and businesses in Samoa, focused on understanding demand and challenges for the adoption of rooftop solar systems.

  • MDF supported the Samoa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), who completed research on renewable energy and the private sector.

  • MDF worked on development of an intervention to expand organic fertiliser production with the use of animal manure. The fertiliser could improve soil health and reduce the use of imported chemical fertiliser.

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Samoa Quick Facts
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