FrontPage

Member Area

Wednesday

Aug 20th

FrontPage

The News

Editor and Reader Opinions

Good Intentions Are Not Always Workable

Written by Pio Sioa
Monday, 26 May 2008
How often have we seen ‘newborn’ farmers trot off with fire raging in their bellies to break the forest, or “gagau le vao’ and reap the riches the fertile soil has in stored for the taking? How often have we seen this same surging drive crashed into splintered embers that will eventually lose their glow and slowly burn out in the coldhearted indifference of failure? So many have tried and succeeded for a while but could not sustain or build on the momentum after the excited surge at the start. Others discover however that they were not meant to be farmers and transfer off to new career occupations more suited to their skills. Only a rare few would go on to triumph and become beacons of inspiration. Many will look to their success as proof that man can indeed ‘break the forest.’ The question most often asked and most often answered with practically the same unchanged response repeated over and over the same question is why? Why are so many farmers in Samoa unable to grow and prosper beyond subsistence farming? Why is success in a commercialized environment difficult to sustain? There are many set backs to point the accusing finger at and one of the most difficult ones is being addressed today. There has never been a national export strategy in Samoa. But a one-day symposium is now sorting that situation out today. Hopefully in the next few months or so, we will have us one. The initiative by the trade arm of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is a positive, if not a long overdue one. Access to overseas markets or lack of it to be more correct, is and continues to be the cancer that rots away at the bloodlines that stokes the fire of determination in the Samoan farming industry. Samoa has actually tasted the sweet rewards of better overseas market opportunities but it has never lasted. Either the bottom of the market falls off or as in the case of the fishing industry, the albacores and other marketed species of fish dropped due to over fishing. A national strategy to identify possible fallback positions in such events will be a very welcomed relief for the fishing industry. Many suffered crippling losses in their investments and were unable to recover fully enough to continue. A lot of valuable suggestions are undoubtedly being inputted into this national blueprint to boost exports and it is a must. The objectives and the goals are easy enough to support so all should be good and well. One however cannot help but be curious at why it took so long for an undertaking of this importance to emerge, and why the various sectors were ‘ riding like John Wayne’ their own horses. It will be interesting to look back at some of the efforts that were once in place and why they are no longer functioning. Some 20 years ago for example there was a Produce Marketing Division, PMD, with offices at the Matautu-tai wharf. Then there was the Cocoa and Copra Board that if memory serves one right, had their head office at Sogi. These separate Government bodies at the time were supposed to be responsible for determining the opportunities available in the international markets for Samoa to export to. All that has faded into the history books to be replaced by other newer approaches to suit the times. The Copra and Cocoa Board as well as the PMD were maybe felt to be outdated and would no longer be effective under the newer changes of time. The new national export strategy looms as yet again a new approach to evolve out of the signs of the time, Market trends have changed so much from two decades ago we have little choice but to adapt and try to keep up with the flow, as we are doing now. The initiative is an added effort that should come in handy for Samoa at this particular point in time. Our export effort is wriggling like a grounded fish on the sand, desperately hoping for the incoming tide to wash it back into the water. Official economic figures show how our exports earnings have plummeted by more than 50% from about $56 million in 2000 to only $26 million in 2006. Export wise we do have a long climb to get back up to our earning levels of 2000, and if this national export strategy works we are on the right track. One just wonders how much more desperate we will if this initiative does not at least slow the slide we are in with our export earnings. Comments (1) Subscribe to this comment's feed Wrong Strategy written by Strategist..., May 26, 2008 Looking back 20-30 years ago, government at the time chose bulk production over premium quality export commodities. Example 'Koko Solomona' over 'lafi 7', new hybrid coconut (which bear fruit low to ground = less cost) and many more. Decisions at the time were made with good intentions but looking back now, were they correct? The government at the time hoped it would improved export and in return strengthened the economy. It does not appear the case considering export figures now. The late Hon Vaai Kolone insisted that lafi7 and the original Koko Samoa were the best with high quality that Samoa should have continued to plant not the Koko Solomona. He was undoubtedly correct because he championed cocoa export. In my time, Samoan cocoa was sold at premium price worldwide at 20-30% over the maximum price paid per ton of cocoa. It is no longer the case today. Samoa is now looking at reviving the coconut export and maybe the cocoa export but can we get back the premium quality we had 30 years ago? The Agriculture department is now facing tough challenges. If there were no genes saved then someone must look at a way of reproducing something close to the original products. Good to hear Samoa is promoting organic farming. That has lots of potential. There are also many other opportunities exists and government should provide every support on those who promote exports. Some people in particular I was associated with before I left the country were Eddie Wilson and Andrew Ah Liki. Good luck Samoa Write comment Name Email Title Comment

< Prev		Next >

[ Back ]

Polls

The Land Bill ?

	Against it
	For it
	Need more info

US Presidential Elections

	John McCain
	Barak Obama
	Ralph Nader

Would you send your Aiga a RHD Car?

	Yep...I'm getting it ready now
	Yep....Sometime Soon
	Nope.....We dont have RHD Cars here
	Nope.....I'd rather just send money

Cece’s BingoTop 10 On Talofa FM

--ADVERTISEMENTS--

Google Satellite Map of Eveni Carruthers

--ADVERTISEMENTS--

FiaOla.com Featured Items

Before you buy, check out FiaOla.com for bargains

BARGAIN! INVESTMENT! Prime
Location 1/4 Acre Land & House

Land Rover Discovery.

Cook Island Pareo Dresses

	GYM SET
	Printing Business for Sale.

"Where the natives buy and sell"

--ADVERTISEMENTS--

Latest Comments

Rudolf Moves Onto the Semi Finals in Beijing
Well done Rudolf

and also to the rest of the team

Too Many Heart Complications Worry SMA President
Talofa to everyone.... very sad to hear about that brother died last week and also others are not r...

Aunese Gets Ready For His Event Tonight in Beijing
Faamalosi aunese! much support from vaiola college

Ele Opeloge Puts Samoa on the World Olympic Map
You did us proud ele..malo le tauivi

Ele Opeloge Puts Samoa on the World Olympic Map
Bien Echo(well done) I love to see my usos do well in anything; I remember my days on your island wi...

Social Network

Join the Newsline Team on Bebo

www.bebo.com/newslineS

Become part of the Newsline Bebo Network

Get News via your Email

Subscribe to Samoa Live News Headlines by Email

Get the Latest News on your Blackberry or PDA

Subscribe in a reader

Sounds from Samoa

Listen to broadcasts from LiveSamoa.com
Courtesy of Plantation Feet, SBC(540am) and
Radio Polynesia(99.9 FM)

http://www.samoalive.com/sliveradio.asx

Live on Weekdays from 8am to 9am

Have your Say

We want your Opinion

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
If you would like to submit a letter for possible
publication in the print edition of the Newsline,
please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

We want your News

Submit News from your Area
If you would like to submit News for possible
publication in both the online and print version
of Newsline please feel free to email us
at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Become a News Blogger
Have a passion for writing? Interested in
writing articles for Newsline? Email us
at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
We are looking for Bloggers from
around the world to contribute to our site.