Just before the nation-wide lockdown, the Samoa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), implemented workshops for young farmers in Savaii as part of the ongoing Youth Koko Initiative. The Initiative is run under the COVID-19 Preparedness and Recovery: Revitalization, Expansion and Diversification of Agriculture and Fisheries in Samoa (RESDAFS) Project, funded by the Government of Japan.

The last training to be held was for young koko farmers at Fagamalo for the Itu o Tane area on March 16^th to the 17^th at Le Lagoto Hotel.

The workshop consisted of four different components. The Cocoa Coaching Course was led by the Samoa Koko Industry Associations President, Alo Kolone Vaai. The youth koko farmers were given the opportunity to expand their knowledge in the different aspects of cocoa tree care, farm management, pests and disease management, and weed control. The cocoa course also included field exercises to give the farmers a hands-on training on pruning.

The disaster management component was delivered by SCCI Business Resilience Officer, Prince Lima. This gave the youth a better understanding of the concepts of disaster readiness and business continuity planning, and to give them scenarios of how their businesses can be disrupted at any time. The participants were given the opportunity to brainstorm ideas and strategies for their business to be more resilient. Training also covered preparedness for farmers during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

The financial literacy component was delivered by Lemauga Hobart Vaai, SCCI CEO to assist farmers on cash flow management and how to manage financial lifestyle challenges as a youth farmer in the village.

Contract farming was led by Helen Skipps, covering areas of different contracts in cocoa farming and examples for the youth to understand different procedures and measures when dealing with contracts.

“The Youth Koko Initiative has been a fruitful collaboration with the Samoa Chamber of Commerce. In our efforts to revitalize and strengthen Samoa’s agriculture industry amidst a global pandemic, the Youth Koko Initiative has provided a pathway for young koko farmers to receive training and upskilling to not only improve their farming capacity, but also equip them with the required business skills and knowledge to compete or access the local market. Through the REDSAFS Project, over 100 young koko farmers have come through this capacity building programme since August 2021,” said Tupe Crawley-Lemisio, REDSAFS Project Coordinator.

Twenty-eight youth koko farmers and youth leaders were awarded certificates of completion, and much-needed tools for their operations, at the end of the two-day workshop.

Samoa Chamber of Commerce said: “We would like to acknowledge the youth farmers and youth leaders of Safotu, Fagamalo, Avao, Saleaula and Lefagaoali'i. A special thank you as well to the President of the Salafai Farmers Association, Va'aaoao Salu Alofipo, and the late Associate Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Vaele Pa'ia'aua Sekuini.”