Organics plays role in Samoa's recovery

27 November 2009 | by OANZ

Two months on from the devastating Samoa tsunami, Oxfam and its Samoan partner organisation, Women in Business, are helping families to rebuild their livelihoods through organic agriculture for niche export markets.

The two organisations are working with 60 families - up to 600 people on the south coast of Upolu Island - to replant destroyed crops or prepare new sections of land for planting organic produce.

Cash-for-work schemes are already under way providing immediate income for people assisting with clearing land for planting organic vegetable gardens, coffee, taro and banana plantations.

Director of Women in Business, Adimaimalaga Tafunai, says growing organic produce for local and international markets is a viable, sustainable income opportunity for Samoan families, and also enables families to grow their own food without the associated risks of chemical use.

Some of the 60 affected families had already gained organic certification before the disaster.

Women in Business has helped more than 200 farmers to gain organic certification throughout Samoa and their produce is now exported to the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and the United States.

In particular, organic coconut farmers working with Women in Business have exported 20 tonnes of virgin coconut oil so far this year to the international cosmetic giant The Body Shop and other smaller buyers.

Adimaimalaga Tafunai says, "Many new families from the devastated coast have indicated to us they would like to start producing organics, and we are working with Oxfam to train farmers in organic food production and helping them to prepare their land for certification."

Pictured: Rebecca Meafo (sitting) has been organically certified for 10 years and selling at the market in Apia for two years.

The market is the only income she has to support her two daughters aged 6 and 16. Rebecca grows pumpkins, tomatoes, eggplant, papaya, cabbage, basil, spring onion, chilli, beans.

Rebecca says, "I have a very big piece of land, but I can manage it - it's easy for me to look after.

"The only hope I have is to look after my two girls and organic vegetables is a very good income. We also have plenty of food for ourselves.

"I don't care how many times I go to the garden - I just go there and sing away - it's good for the heart."

Source: OANZ News