The event was coordinated by USP’s
Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development (PaCE-SD) through its European Union (EU) funded Intra-ACP GCCA+ Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change and Resilience Building (PACRES) project. The main objective of the three-day training was to enhance climate resilience within eight villages in the Matautu District and Taga Village of Savai’i, by training local farmers on implementation of crop-based systems solutions.
The training followed a capacity needs assessment carried out in February this year, in the two villages mentioned. Lack of technical knowledge on agricultural practices was one of the key capacity needs identified during the assessment. Twenty-three farmers, 15 males and eight females, in Samoa now have a wealth of new knowledge on how to plant crops to ensure food security and better nurture the soil they depend on to grow food.
Alafua Campus Director, Dr Joeli Veitayaki, expressed his appreciation for the support from local partners, particularly the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE). Dr Veitayaki also acknowledged the EU for funding the training.
“The EU is committed to supporting climate change adaptation in the Pacific and works closely with USP to deliver concrete results at community level through delivery of practical capacity building activities like these,” Dr Veitayaki said.
Acting SAFT Head of School, Dr Siaka Diarra said USP SAFT provides training opportunities that are aimed at developing capacity to practically enhance climate resilience through the implementation of intensive crop-based cropping systems.
The Intra-ACP GCCA+ PACRES project will continue to support further climate resilience activities in Samoa in the coming year.
The EU Intra-ACP GCCA+ PACRES project is jointly delivered by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), the Pacific Community (SPC), the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) and USP.
