FAO AND THREE MINISTRIES PROMOTE SCHOOL GARDENING AND HEALTHY EATING TO SAMOAN STUDENTS

[PRESS RELEASE Apia, Samoa 2 October 2025] – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Culture, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, and the Ministry of Health, has launched a joint initiative to promote school gardening and healthy eating practices. This coordinated effort engaged over 300 students at Avele College, fostering awareness of sustainable agriculture and nutrition within the school community.

“The school garden project is more than planting crops—it’s planting knowledge,” said Honourable Aiono Alec Ekeroma, the Minister of Education and Culture during a visit to Avele College, Apia. “Each garden becomes a living classroom where students engage with science, apply mathematics, and connect meaningfully with Samoan culture. It’s a hands-on, practical approach that makes Agriculture Science exciting, relevant, and part of everyday life.”

The Associate Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Honorable Aiolupotea Tony Misa, highlighted the vital role the MAF Crops Division will play over the next 12 weeks in the School Garden project.

The Division will engage directly with students, teaching and demonstrating the entire farming cycle, which includes selecting and sowing seeds, field preparation, seedling transplanting, and post-harvest recommendations. Associate Minister Aiolupotea, also emphasized the crucial need for active support and participation from teachers and parents to ensure the long-term success of the newly launched initiative.

In 12-week cycle, students enrolled in agricultural science, health, physical education, and food science programs will experience the complete farm-to-table journey. They will grow vegetables and fruits (such as cucumbers, eggplants and bananas), tending to them throughout the season, harvesting the fruits of their labor, and learning to prepare healthy meals with what they’ve grown. Avele College students, Helen Tinousi Lilomaiava and Bornagain Liovaa, are excited to start gardening and cooking together with classmates. Both have done gardening and cooking with families at home, however “at school, with different fruits and vegetables, it will be fun to learn something new together,” they said.

“While there have been initiatives of this kind in the past, this program is especially important as it integrates health education with practical learning for students. School gardening allows young people to understand and apply the principles of nutrition, sustainability, and healthy eating, while also strengthening the farm-to-table connection within their families and communities. At a time when childhood and adolescent obesity is increasing, it is critical that we nurture these skills and values early. We see our students not only as learners, but as future leaders who can champion healthier lifestyles and influence positive change within their households and villages,” said Dr. Robert Thomsen – Acting Director General of Health, Ministry of Health.

“Our ecosystem serves as a natural classroom for students,” stated Philip Tuivavalagi, Assistant FAO Representative for Samoa. He emphasized FAO’s commitment to supporting Samoa and noted that “across the Pacific, FAO is dedicated to enhancing nutrition, developing sustainable agriculture, and strengthening resilience.”

This initiative is a part of FAO Technical Cooperation Programme, funded by all FAO member countries through their regular ‘assessed contribution’. Emphasizing global efforts, this programme is not funded by a particular donor’s contribution. Since 1976, this programme has made FAO’s know-how and technical expertise available to member countries, including Samoa, particularly for immediate and specific needs.

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Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries – Samoa