Samoan PM launches two Pacific organic projects

Press Release

Samoan PM launches two Pacific organic projects

Friday, 9 November 2007, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), CRGA 37, Apia, Samoa - 'Organic agriculture, whether in farming, processing, distribution, or consumption, is to sustain and enhance the health of ecosystems and organism from the smallest in the soil to human beings,' were the opening words of Samoa Prime Minister, the Honourable Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi at the function held the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum for the launch of two Pacific organic projects last Wednesday.

These two projects include 'building capacities on certification of organic agriculture in the Pacific' as well as the 'development of regional organic standards and a strategy for organic agriculture in the Pacific Island countries and territories both funded by the UN agency IFAD - International Fund for Agriculture Developments. The first project is implemented by IFOAM - the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement - and the Women in Business Development Samoa The second is implemented by SPC, under its Land Resource Division.

Samoa's Prime Minister was invited to launch these projects in his capacity as Chairman of the Pacific High Level Organic Steering Committee. His personal commitment and interest for organic farming made him a natural leader for such projects. Other Pacific leaders have been asked to be part of this high level committee as well as heads of a number of regional and international institutions.

The regional Organic Task Force for the Pacific involves leading individuals in the field of organics mainly from civil societies and government. They are to develop the Pacific's own standards. USP School of Agriculture and Food Technologies have been closely engaged in this process.

At the recent Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting in Tonga, a communiqué was endorsed calling for SPC to develop a new agriculture and forestry initiative, including atoll agriculture, under the Pacific Plan's sustainable development pillar. SPC was also asked to jointly develop NSDS-based agriculture and forestry policies with a plan of action

After the formal launch of these two projects, CRGA delegates, agriculture representatives and other guests were invited to a special table loaded with Organically Certified Food prepared by Women in Business Development Samoa for your pleasure.

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