The introduction of wild pig traps has shown a success rate of up to 90 per cent and has alleviated ongoing issues faced by farmers who had years of hard work damaged by the pigs.

Feral pigs pose a significant challenge for many farmers and the Agriculture Census 2020 recorded a total number of agriculturally active households growing crops in Samoa of 26,776. 

According to statistics provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, over 60 per cent of families have identified feral pigs as the primary challenge affecting the development of their crop farms for more than a decade. 

The severity of the issue has elevated discussions to higher levels including Cabinet meetings, resulting in the loss of crop harvest and the rapid decline in production of some of the major crops, especially taro. 

In a press statement, the M.A.F. said the decline is predominantly attributed to the rising number of feral pigs.   

This led to crucial decisions made to address the problem faced by farmers by introducing the utilisation of pig traps.  

“Continuous inspections, monitoring and evaluations of these traps by both M.A.F. and individual village committees have indicated a success rate of 80 to 90 per cent,” said the Ministry.  

“Visual documentation including pictures and recorded footage from these traps stated tangible evidence that a trap can hold up to 20 pigs in a single catch. 

“An inferred camera is also installed on the trap or a nearby tree to observe the movement and the progress of pigs in the trap around the clock.”

The success of catching pigs with these traps strongly depends on where they are placed. 

A manual guide for piloting the use of pig traps in specific districts and for collaborating with districts’ Fono Fa’avae Offices in monitoring and sustaining these valuables assets is in place. 

 The Ministry continues to plan to acquire more traps through various projects to maximize the effectiveness of this initiative. However, it strongly advices and encourages the practice of raising pigs in enclosed pens or fenced areas to further mitigate risks. 

Two traps were procured under a fully funded project by the Australian government (MDF), to trial the effectiveness of this idea in Sapapalii and Satupaitea. 

Now, 10 additional traps procured by the Scientific Research of Samoa were just launched in April this year and the plan is to install them in selected districts/villages in Upolu.