Samoa and Tonga

Ministry of Agriculture, Forests, Fisheries & Meteorology of Samoa
Ministry of Labor and Commerce of Tonga Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

The rising demand for dairy products in Samoa and Tonga and the increasing cost of imported Ultra High Temperature (UHT) milk from Australia and New Zealand encouraged national governments to promote local milk production. As a result, Samoa and Tonga participated in a local dairy-processing project that started in August 1997. The mixed farming system based on pasture development under coconut trees for dairy or beef cattle was seen as the most appropriate land-use system. High-quality dairy breeds were introduced from Australia and distributed to small holders scattered throughout the region. The project provided producers with some dairy equipment for milk handling at the farm such as milking pails, cans, small electric pasteurizers, and plastic pouch sealing machines. A complete set of equipment for yogurt and butter production was also provided
to some farms. Originally, all the equipment was designated for Samoa, but with the rapid development of milk production in Tonga by small producers and at the request of the Government, it was also provided for Tonga. The project helps develop two important elements for animal nutrition: the improvement of natural pasture and the utilization of locally available agricultural by-products for feeding dairy animals. These technologies were fully utilized and even slightly altered according to the specific local conditions. Dairy training was carried out in both countries. Additionally, an itinerant regional workshop was organized in Fiji, Tonga and Samoa for 20 participants from five countries. With regards to milk processing, the Governments helped the production of quality dairy products and set up a model system of dairy organization for countries in the region.

The project relates to Chapter VI of the Barbados Programme of Action on land resources, Chapter XI on regional institutions and technical cooperation, and Chapter XIII on science and technology.

The developed model system, which incorporates dairy development, processing and marketing, has increased the income of small farmers, boosted rural ancillary services and promoted the consumption and use of local milk and dairy products such as yogurt and cheese in both the local and tourist markets.

In Samoa, dairy animals were introduced for the first time at the beginning of the project. In Tonga there was limited land to raise dairy animals, yet with improved pasture, the production of elephant grass and chopped and concentrated feed produced with local by-products, many small farmers could begin milk production with three to four cows.  Apart from the four big dairy farms in Tonga, which are producing about 800 liters of milk per day, the development of milk production by small landowners/farmers is at the initial stage. Lack of availability of dairy animals is the main constraint for farmers who are interested in diversifying their production. However, in Samoa, where milk production was formerly nonexistent, production is now estimated at 500 liters per day, 50 per cent of which is being produced by the three main producers. In Samoa, milk production cannot meet market demand. The original equipment provided is already too small for some pro-ducers who now produce 80 liters of milk per day. Some farmers have already invested in larger capacity pasteurizers. This new activity has generated rural employment, in particular for women in terms of packaging the milk and dairy products. Consumers are even willing to travel to the dairy farms to purchase the milk and other dairy products. Pasteurized milk in plastic sachets is sold at the same price as the imported UHT milk from Australia or New Zealand. Cash returns for the producers are very high and many milk producers are building a
milk shop close to their farms for direct sale to the public. Market demand in both Samoa and Tonga has now shifted from imported to local fresh pasteurized milk and dairy products. In light of the success of the project, a compilation of all information related to dairy development in the region has been included in the FAO virtual library.

The project has demonstrated that milk production in the South Pacific is an excellent economical alternative to meat production. Milk processing at the farm level is very profitable for small-scale producers and their workers, who can increase their returns even further by simple dairy processing. The rapid uptake of milk production, processing and effective marketing will lead to an increased output of dairy products, which can serve as a model for replication in other regions.

Mr. Ulupago Misifoa
National Project Coordinator
Ministry of Agriculture, Forests, Fisheries & Meteorology
P.O. Box 1874
Apia, Samoa
Tel.: (685) 22561
Fax: (685) 24576
E-mail: fttev@lesamoa.net

Mr. Fehi Moala
National Project Coordinator
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
P.O. Box 14
Nukualofa, Kingdom of Tonga
Tel.: (676) 23038
Fax: (676) 24271