Apia, Samoa (6 th June, 2022) The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon.
La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt met with the Vice Chancellor and President
of the University of the South Pacific, Professor Pal Ahluwalia, to explore and expand potential
collaborative agriculture development initiatives of common interests, under the MOU that was
formalised in 2019 between the University and the Ministry.
The current MOU covers partnership in teaching, research, training, extension as well as
community engagement to support the various production needs of our crop and livestock
farmers. The signing today was to formalise an addendum to reflect the change of name of the
responsible University entity, from School of Agriculture and Food Technology (SAFT), to
Discipline of Agriculture and Food Technology (DAFT).
Both parties encouraged continuous cooperation and genuine partnership to enhance
agriculture and fisheries development in Samoa for sustainable food, nutrition and income
security in Samoa.

For more information, contact:
Dr. Siaka Diarra, Associate Professor, USP diarra_s@usp.ac.fj or
Tilafono David Hunter, Chief Executive Officer, MAF tilafono@maf.gov.ws