Inclusion Story – Growing better: Supporting agricultural innovation in Samoa

Agricultural machinery, essential for modern farming, remains expensive in Samoa, with costs reaching up to USD40,000 (AUD61,000) for second-hand excavators and USD14,000 (AUD21,000) for tractors. Rental or service options are sometimes available but are inefficient or informal. Both farmers and businesses suffer from a lack of awareness about the range of available machinery and services, as there is little advertising.

This gap in market knowledge, especially among businesses predominantly focused on construction, results in risk aversion and missed opportunities to meet the evident demand. MDF research indicates that while only a few farmers currently use such machinery, there is a significant interest among the wider farming community. Labour migration is also affecting Samoa’s agricultural households, with many women now taking on the bulk of agricultural work, where husbands have joined seasonal labour schemes.