The Pacific Agri-Innovate Business Plan competition launched on Friday is a key initiative of the Sustainable Transformation of Domestic Agrifood Systems project.

"It is designed to empower young business people and farmers, to develop innovative solutions, to the challenges facing our agricultural sector. Through this competition, FAO and SROS aim to identify, guide, and support agricultural enterprises, with high potential to expand market opportunities, and strengthen Samoa's agrifood ecosystems," said Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Laauli Leuatea Schmidt.

"I am confident that this competition, with its robust mentoring and training programs, will inspire new ideas, and develop a vibrant and dynamic agricultural ecosystem in Samoa. 

"Together, let us work towards creating a successful agriculture sector, that not only sustains Samoa through improved food security and nutrition, but also empowers our communities, encourages our people, and builds a brighter future for generations to come."

The conditions or the selection criteria are innovators and entrepreneurs currently running a business in the agriculture sector. Enterprises must be registered in the three countries that are eligible for this competition which are Fiji, Solomon Islands and Samoa.

They must be scalable and market-ready ventures with commercial viability and growth potential. Lastly, applications would be evaluated based on innovation and USP, commercial viability, team strength, traction and value and job creation.

The deadline for applications is 15 September, and whoever will be selected for the boot camp will be announced on 23 September. The virtual boot camp and mentoring will kick start on 30 September.

Samoa's agriculture industry needs to be revamped and production increased across the sector. When launching the Agriculture and Fisheries Sector plans Laauli had said consequently, as an agricultural economy, the sector must be revitalised and thrive to sustainably provide food, nutrition, and raw materials for our commerce, manufacturing and tourism industries, and to increase exports. 

The government agrees that the sector productivity needs to improve, and production quality needs to be consistently high to ensure products are competitive in both domestic and global markets. 

As such, finding ways to develop smallholder farming and fisheries and to improve the livelihoods of those who work on the land and the sea, especially in the rural communities is a high priority for Samoa and its government. 

"With increasing threats posed by climate changes, shocks, different types of diseases, pests, and invasive species, and unsustainable practices, we are placing more emphasis on the need to enhance the resilience of the food, agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture systems which underpin the whole sustainable development of the sector, for our current and future generations," he had said.