The Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa has signed an agreement with China's only research institution that focuses solely on tropical agricultural technology developments. 

The memorandum of understanding (M.O.U.) between the S.R.O.S. and the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (C.A.T.A.S.) was signed on Thursday by Mataeliga Pelenato from S.R.O.S. and Dr. Qin Xiaowei from the Spice and Beverage Research Institute of C.A.T.A.S. 

C.A.T.A.S. Vice President Cui Penguwei and the C.A.T.A.S. Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Division, You Wen witnessed the signing at the S.R.O.S. office at Vailima. 

The Samoa Government's Press Secretariat did not confirm when the agreement was signed when it distributed details of the M.O.U. to the local media on Friday.

Under the agreement, both parties have agreed to establish cooperation, through assistance in the fields of training, research, technology and policy development related to tropical agriculture and have also agreed to collaborate.

"The purpose of this M.O.U. is to define the areas for scientific research, capacity building and technology development in which the parties desire to cooperate in the future for their mutual benefit to foster a collaborative framework between S.R.O.S. and C.A.T.A.S. with a view to benefiting from each others' initiatives and experience and to support collaboration among the scientific, technical and administrative personnel associated directly or indirectly with both parties."

As part of the agreement, both the S.R.O.S. and C.A.T.A.S. will jointly design and implement research projects that will see scientists, engineers and technical personnel from both organisations assisting their colleagues and vice versa. 

"In order to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, both parties will sign two copies in English and two copies in Chinese, each of which has the same legal effect." 

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the C.A.T.A.S. is the sole research institution in China devoted to tropical agricultural technology developments. 

"The academic and technical capability of C.A.T.A.S. has contributed greatly and continuously towards sustainable solutions to hunger, malnutrition and poverty in tropical China and abroad," reads an F.A.O. brief on the organisation.

C.A.T.A.S. has a staff of over 4,600 of which 3,300 are research scientists, including nearly 500 senior scientists. It is part of the Ministry of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China.