January - June 2008
Issue 1/08
SAP NEWSLETTER
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Sub-regional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP), Apia, SAMOA
Editor of the present issue: Newsletter Editorial Committee, c/o FAO Sub-regional Office / FAO Private Mail Bag / Apia; Samoa E-mail: FAO-SAP@fao.org Fax: (685) 22126 Tel: (685) 22127 Website: http://www.faopacific.ws; http://www.fao.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Changes in the Sub-Regional office of the Pacific Fisheries Food, Nutrition & Statistics Plant Protection Forestry Regional Programme for Food Security (RPFS) 1 2 2 2 3 3
CHANGES IN THE SUB-REGIONAL OFFICE OF THE PACIFIC (SAP)
New Acronym As you may have noticed, the acronym for the FAO Sub Regional Office for the Pacific has changed. This is the result of the ongoing FAO reform process and is effective as of 1 January 2008. The new Organizational Code for the Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands is now SAP (instead of SAPA). We also wish to inform that our SAP Newsletter will now be reduced to 2 issues per year and our website will be the main information outlet for the FAO Sub Regional Office.
Revamped Website The FAO Sub-regional office for the Pacific (SAP) in its efforts to provide adequate, sound and updated information on its activities to the member countries and in general, now has a updated it website aiming to make it more user friendly: www.faopacific.ws The website is the main information outlet for the office as we want to significantly reduce the printings in the office. There has been significant growth not only in the activities of the office but also the volume of information that is has generated. As a result, our website has undergone a major upgrade to ensure that we keep up with the dynamic technologies of today allowing for the timely availability of information of FAO activities particularly in our region and more importantly making it user friendly. The website is updated regularly and you can go to for information on the various projects in our member countries and other useful information. Appropriate regional reports will no longer be printed, unless specifically requested. Rather they will be posted in the website for easy access. Updated project listings, office news including announcements of meetings, workshops, conference, and trainings will be posted on the website. In addition, we invite member countries and regional partners to share with us any updates or information you would like us to put in the website. Information Resource Center As part of the ongoing reform process, the former Library, which is now referred to as the ‘Information Resource Centre’, is undergoing the process of digitizing of the information, thus making it more accessible to those outside of Samoa. We will keep you informed of further updates via our website. SAP Team Building and Training on Information & Communication Further to the recent changes in our SAP office, the theme for our office retreat in 2007 was ‘Information & Communication’. The SAP Team Building and Training (STBT) was held at Vaisala Resort in Savaii from 24 to 26 October 2007. In addition to the team building exercise, Mr Diderik DeVleeschauwer, Regional Information Officer, RAP was invited to conduct training on “Information and Communication”.
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FISHERIES
FAO/SAP Fisheries Activities IUU fishing: FAO/SAP in close cooperation with FAO-HQs’ Fisheries and Aquaculture Department (International Institution and Liaison Service) assisted in formulating a draft National Plan of Action to prevent, deter and eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in Samoa (1 March – 7 April), Niue (18 April – 13 May), Palau (17 May – 8 June) and Fiji (28 August – 21 September) in 2007, and in Kiribati (11-25 March) in 2008. Socio-economic and demographic information: As part of the ongoing activities in the improvement of fisheries information and data collections at national level, FAO/SAP in close cooperation with FAO-HQs’ Fisheries and Aquaculture Department (Fishing Technology Service) conducted a case study on socio-economic and demographic information on coastal area and fisheries management in ten selected countries in the region in 2007. Study reports will be compiled / published in 2008. New Fisheries Publications FAO Fisheries Technical Paper No. 477 Models for an ecosystem approach to fisheries Rome, Italy, 2007, 108 pp. The PDF file is available at www.fao.org/fi (please click Publications - Fisheries Technical Papers). FAO Fisheries Technical Paper No. 488/1 Review of the state of world marine capture fisheries management: Pacific Ocean Rome, Italy, 2007, 170 pp. The file is available at www.fao.org/fi (please click Publications Fisheries Technical Papers). FAO Fisheries Technical Paper No. 503 Pearl oyster health management – a manual Rome, Italy, 2007, 120 pp. The file is available at www.fao.org/fi (please click Publications Fisheries Technical Papers). FAO Technical Guidelines for Responsible Fisheries No. 5, Suppl. 2 Aquaculture development - health management for responsible movement of live aquatic animals Rome, Italy, 2007, 31 pp. The PDF file is available at www.fao.org/fi (please click Publications - Technical Guidelines for Responsible Fisheries). FAO / FishCode Review No. 21 Using questionnaires based on the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries as diagnostic tools in support of fisheries management Rome, Italy, 2007, 109 pp. The PDF file is available at www.fao.org/fi/fishcode (please click Publications - FishCode Review). FAO Aquaculture Newsletter No. 37 Rome, Italy, July 2007, 58 pp. FAN (FAO Aquaculture Newsletter) No. 37 highlighted different aspects of information on inland fisheries and aquaculture and guidelines on Aquaculture Certification.
SAP NEWSLETTER 1/08
quarantine aspects, assessed the current situation for these fruit in Samoa, developed a research framework, offered training to staff in post-harvest technology, assessed the need for facilities and capacity building, and delivered a public seminar on findings. In the Solomon Islands, a technical Review of Draft Food Hygiene Regulations was carried out, after which, a national stakeholder consultation was held in October 2007 to discuss and finalise the regulations. Furthermore, a training course on enhancing participation in the standard setting work of codex for members of the national Codex Committee was conducted in November 2007. A letter of agreement was signed with Tonga to develop a website to promote Regional Coordination and Information Exchange among Codex member countries in the Pacific sub-region, and convene a 3-day meeting of codex coordinators from Pacific codex member countries to discuss regional issues, and finalise project proposals for kava and nonu/noni for submission to the 10th session of FAO/WHO Regional Coordinating Committee (CCNASWP) due to be held in Tonga in October 2008. Furthermore, technical assistance has been commissioned to assess the Feasibility of Coconut Multipurpose Processing Centers in Fiji. The study, which commences in February 2008, provides 3 months of technical input to assist the Coconut Industry Development Authority (CIDA) in its efforts to revive the ailing coconut industry. Additionally, technical assistance to the Ministry of Agriculture and Primary Industries is being provided to prepare the technical framework for the next agricultural census.
PLANT PROTECTION
New Projects Approved (1) “Strengthening floriculture development in the Cook Islands using disease free planting materials for income generating and food security” This project was approved early January this year and the objectives of the project aims at strengthening farmers (including women village groups) knowledge/skills on ornamental management, (culture and disease management) and uplifting quality standards of flowers for the local markets. It also aims to support the growing demand for flowers and create economic activities for many of the unemployed, including outer island women groups and school leavers. Many of the ornamental varieties will be introduced from Holland and Thailand in the form of Tissue Culture plantlets (disease free). These new introduction of various varieties of tropical and subtropical flower varieties would increase the genetic pool of ornamentals in the Cook Islands. Other lines of locally grown flowers would also be included in this project. One of the outputs of this project would include a set of appropriate guidelines for improved flower production techniques and proven disease prevention control aimed at individual flower growers as the target audience. Total FAO Contribution is US$234,000. (2) “Ecologically-based management of rodents in Agroecosystems in food crops in the Kingdom of Tonga” The project was approved late October 2007. The objectives aimed to reduce the present crop losses (in squash, sweet potato, coconuts, other root crops, etc,) due to rodent damages in Tonga agro-ecosystems to an acceptable level by developing and launching a farmer implemented, sustainable rodent management programme. The project also look at understanding of the seasonal (wet & dry) population dynamics of the rodents and linked data collected to availability of food and effects of climate change. Field testing of some home-made traps and bait-stations would be one of the main activities, etc, leading to the development of an integrated rodent pest management packages for use in implementing long term rat control in Tonga. The project also extends to all the outer islands in the Kingdom of Tonga. Total FAO Contribution is US$310,000
FOOD, NUTRITION AND STATISTICS
Technical assistance has been provided to the Research and Development Institute of Samoa (RDIS) from October to December 2007. Key aim was to build Research Capacity in Horticulture Food Technology, with a direct focus on reducing post-harvest losses of papaya and breadfruit for export. The Mission examined breadfruit and papaya food quality and
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FORESTRY
Work on reporting on Status of the World’s Forest 2010 commences A technical meeting on Global Forest Resource Assessment 2010 (FRA 2010) was held in Rome from 3-7 March 2008. The Meeting was attended by FRA National Correspondents (NCs) of member countries. Several NCs from the Pacific Island also attended the Meeting. The objective of the Meeting is to provide information and guidance to the NCs for the preparation of their country reports to FRA in 2010. Global Forest Resource Assessment process started 60 years ago, and provides information on how much forest exists, how it is being used and managed, and how it is being lost. FAO is mandated by the FAO Conference to report on the status of the world’s forests every 5 and 10 years. The last report is in 2005. Since 2000, Pacific Island Countries are becoming more involved in FRA activities at global and regional level and at the national level are taking firmer lead in reporting on their tree and forest resources. Country reports to FRA is not only useful for determining the status of the world’s forests, but is also a useful exercise for the countries to review, update and improve monitoring, assessment and reporting of their forests for policy and management decisions. The Meeting in Rome also coincides with the launching of Global Forest Resource Assessment 2010. The 2010 assessment will be an important tool in measuring the impact of deforestation on climate change and the role of forests in mitigating effects of climate change. Recent workshops: Asia-Pacific Forestry Week - “Forestry in a Changing World”, 21-25 April 2008 in Hanoi Vietnam. High-level forestry officials from the Asia-Pacific region will attend as well as a diverse range of stakeholders. Hot issues such as forests and climate change, forest and poverty and resource tenure access and rights will be discussed and debated.
SAP NEWSLETTER 1/08
As part of the activities implemented under the “horizontal component” aimed at strengthening capacities in trade facilitation and agricultural policy, a set of commodity chain studies were carried out in three selected PICs between May and December 2006. Each study targeted a different category of agricultural products: 1) a set of import substitution products (four horticultural produces) in Fiji; 2) a food security product (breadfruit) in Kiribati and 3) a product with export potentials (nangai nut) in Vanuatu. The overall scope of the activity was to provide both single PICs and regional institutions with a methodology for implementing, in the Pacific context, chain studies targeting agricultural and food products while at the same time testing the methodology by means of practical exercises. Tripartite Review Meeting Apia, Samoa, 21-22 April 2008 The Tri Partite Review meeting for the regional project: GTFS/RAS/198/ITA: Support to the Regional Programme for Food Security (RPFS) in the Pacific was held in Apia, Samoa, 21-22 April 2008. The review was attended by National Project Coordinators from Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu; the representative from the Government of Italy, the representative of the Council for Regional Organization (CROP), the University of the South Pacific (USP), United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) and FAO. The meeting provided the opportunity for the countries, the government of Italy as the donor and FAO to review activities of the regional project against expected outcome before its completion at the end of December 2008. The meeting was officially opened by Honourable Taua Kitiona Tavaga Seuala, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries for Samoa after the statements from Madam Maria Pia Rizzo, Representative of the Government of Italy and Dr. Vili Fuavao, FAO Sub-regional Representative for the Pacific. Overall, the review was very positive and countries confirms the importance of sustaining the activities after the life of the assistance. The project has coordinated some 26 national projects across the 14 countries. They are home garden and root crops projects in Kiribati, Nauru, Marshall Islands, Tuvalu; sheep integrated projects in Samoa and Tonga; fruit tree development projects in the Cook Islands and Papua New Guinea; rice developments projects in Fiji and Papua New Guinea; Piggery in the Marshall Islands, Niue and Tuvalu; Chicken Perma-culture and Poultry projects in Fiji, Niue and Samoa; Quarantine and Pest related activities in the Solomon Islands and Federated States of Micronesia; Rural Butchery and Agroforestry in Vanuatu; food processing and value adding in Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. At regional level, it has provided regional capacity building activities on Trade facilitation, Food safety and Commodity Chain studies. A full evaluation of the regional program is schedule for July /August this year that will further provide input for an upscaling phase of the program
REGIONAL PROGRAMME FOR FOOD SECURITY (RPFS)
Training on Negotiation Capacity for Agriculture Trade Policy Mercure Hotel, 8 Customs Street, Auckland New Zealand 5-7 March 2008 The overall objective of the training is to build the capacity of the agriculture and fisheries sector on negotiation towards policy formulation. Plenary sessions which will involved discussions and exchanges on WTO and regional trade agreements in which countries will made presentations on national mechanisms in place for trade, the constraints faced and the challenges met. The training coincided with the Pacific Trade Expo in Auckland which provided the opportunity for the participants to witness commodities from the islands that are being imported to New Zealand and the markets available given NZ as one of the main market for produce from the island countries. The training was attended by agriculture and fisheries senior policy officers and selected private sectors across the fourteen member countries of FAO in the Pacific. Subregional workshops on implementing chain studies for agricultural and food products Samoa, 7-9 April 2008 FAO with financial assistance from the Government of Italy is coordinating the implementation of the regional project GTFS/RAS/198/ITA: Support to the Regional Programme for Food Security (RPFS) in the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) since May 2004 to be completed by December 2008.
FAO SUB-REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE PACIFIC PRIVATE MAIL BAG APIA SAMOA TEL: (685) 22127 or 20710 FAX: (685) 22126 Email: FAO-SRO-Pacific@fao.org Websites: http://www.faopacific.ws http://www.fao.org