Animals play vital roles in the livelihoods of Samoan people as a source of food and wealth,
offered as gifts during many cultural activities, natural pollinators and as companions to man,
hence, the celebration of World Animal Day every year around the world.
On Tuesday 4th October, 2022, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Animal Production
and Health Division in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nation commemorated World Animal Day for the first time in Samoa, focusing on the
promotion of Animal Welfare concepts to raise animal living standards contributing positively
in production and quality of life.
More than fifty livestock farmers, students from a few of the local colleges as well as teachers
and students from the University of the South Pacific at Alafua, participated in the day’s
activities
Assistant Chief Executive Officer for the Animal Production and Health Division, Fesilia’i
Tulia Molimau-Iosefa in her opening remarks highlighted the increasing demand for food in
Samoa resulting in the intensification of livestock production. She also emphasized that the
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries wishes to utilize this special day as a platform to promote
animal welfare to raise the standards in caring for animals in our country as well as safety of
food for our people.
Fesilia’i later acknowledged the continued collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture
and Fisheries and FAO in promoting the development of agriculture in Samoa. She also
thanked the valuable contribution of the livestock farmers and reminded them of the wellbeing
of the animals in their farms.
The FAO Sub Regional Coordinator for the Pacific, Madam Yao, acknowledged the Ministry
of Agriculture and Fisheries in Samoa for its great partnership with FAO and for the first ever
celebration of the World Animal Day in Samoa. “We celebrate together today a momentous
occasion that must be cherished and maintained by all animal owners in Samoa. FAO joins the
Ministry to raise more awareness on the animal welfare concepts in a partnership approach, to
actively engage with animal welfare groups, community groups, livestock farmers, pet owners,
students and the general public hoping for a wider dissemination of information and
experience”. Ms Yao also reaffirmed that FAO would continue its technical cooperation with
the Ministry in activities relevant with sustainable livestock production and animal health.
Furthermore, the participants were able to tour the farms (cattle, sheep, pigs, chicken) within
the MAF Livestock Division premises and attended a training session conducted by the
technical staff as well as information sessions on the services offered by the Ministry as well as
other stakeholders (Animal Protection Society, Vaoala Fibee Honey and Fisheries Team).