Cultivating More Than Crops in Samoa
The first rays of sunlight hit the taro fields of Lefaga village in Samoa, and 33-year-old Kent Onesemo is already at work. The morning air is alive with low hum of a brush cutter, the chatter of farmhands, and the occasional call of cattle grazing nearby. It’s a familiar routine for Kent, a father of six who has learned that farming, like life, demands patience, grit and vision. “I have a full-time job,” Kent says, wiping sweat from his brow. “But it wasn’t enough to support my family. I knew I had to do something more.” Kent Onesemo at his farm in Lefaga, Samoa. Four years ago, he turned to farming, planting taro and raising cattle on six acres of land. What began as a side effort to ease financial strain soon grew into something bigger. After two years of supplying Samoa’s local markets, Kent ventured into exports. His very first month abroad brought in WST$12,000 (AU$6,700). “It was exciting but overwhelming,” he admits. “The demand was there, but I couldn’t keep up with it.” Rather than risk burning out, Kent made the bold choice to pause exports while he focused on expanding and strengthening his farm. That expansion was given a boost in July 2025 when the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER Plus), through the Samoa Farmers Association, provided over WST$89,000 (AU$50,000) worth of farming and processing equipment to local farmers. Kent was among the 1,000 beneficiaries. The support included taro chippers, multi-use grinders, tillers, ground drillers, brush cutters, and chainsaws — all tools that turned Kent’s ambitions into achievable plans. “The equipment from PACER Plus came just when I needed it most,” Kent says. “It has lifted the pressure and helped me prepare for the next stage of exports.” But Kent’s story isn’t just about farming. It’s also about redefining what it means to be a farmer in the Pacific. Under the name Samoan Farmer, Kent has carved out a space online where he documents his journey. His YouTube channel has almost 17,000 subscribers, with thousands more following him on Facebook and Instagram. His videos blend farm tutorials with moments of candid honesty. They’ve struck a chord so much so that six Samoans have launched their own farms after watching Kent’s content. “That’s the best part. Knowing my story is inspiring others to start their own.” Kent Onesemo After a hard day’s work at the farm, Kent Onesemo is ready to transport some of his produce to the local market. What began as a way to share knowledge has also grown into a business. With his video production skills, Kent has created commercials for local companies, bringing in more than WST$50,000 in revenue. His website, www.samoanfarmer.com, now sells branded merchandise. Still, Kent’s focus remains on the bigger picture: using his journey to encourage young Samoan and Pacific people to embrace technology as a tool for growth. “We’re great at using social media for fun, but not enough for building skills or learning about financial literacy,” he says. “I want young Samoans to have a vision for themselves. To step out of their comfort zones and take chances.” Of course, farming isn’t without its challenges. There are days when the work feels too heavy, the market too demanding, or the weather too unforgiving. “But that’s when I push harder,” Kent explains. “It’s like driving up a steep hill — you’ve got to press the accelerator a little more to get over the top. Once you’re there, the view makes it worth it.” For Kent, the view is more than financial stability. It’s the pride of seeing his children run through the taro rows, the satisfaction of exporting Samoan produce to the world, and the knowledge that he is building something that others can follow. “You can never do this alone,” he says. “It takes family, community, and support like PACER Plus to make it possible.” -ENDS- More articles like this one
Cook Islands Sets Regional Benchmark with Uniquely Cook Islands Branding Program
PACER Plus-supported initiative safeguards cultural identity while driving inclusive economic growth RAROTONGA, Cook Islands — The Cook Islands has marked a historic milestone under the PACER Plus Agreement with the co-design of its ground-breaking Branding Program: Uniquely Cook Islands. The initiative — the first of its kind in the Pacific — was validated through a day-long workshop that brought together artisans, entrepreneurs, cultural leaders, and government representatives. Designed to safeguard cultural knowledge and creativity, protect against counterfeiting, and strengthen global recognition, the program ensures that Cook Islands products and services are respected and trusted worldwide. It also fosters investment opportunities, including through the diaspora, particularly in the cultural and creative industries. Repeta Puna, CEO of the Business Trade & Investment Board (BTIB) Through its Certification Mark and Tokens, Uniquely Cook Islands will make authenticity visible, give buyers confidence, and future-proof the culture, customs, and traditions of the islands. It also directly advances the Cook Islands Government’s National Sustainable Development Strategy (NSDS), linking cultural protection with inclusive and sustainable economic growth. “This is not just a certification mark; it is a national commitment to honouring who we are as a people. By designing this program together, with voices from Rarotonga, the Pa Enua, and our diaspora, we are setting a global standard for best practice in cultural integrity and sustainable trade.” Repeta Puna, CEO of the Business Trade & Investment Board (BTIB) The “Branding Program: Uniquely Cook Islands” initiative was validated through a day-long workshop that brought together artisans, entrepreneurs, cultural leaders, and government representatives. The Uniquely Cook Islands Certification Program is built on three pillars: Protect: Safeguard cultural intellectual property and prevent misuse of traditional designs, language, and stories. Participate: Enable small and micro-businesses, particularly artisans and those in the outer islands, to participate in trade on fair and transparent terms. Prosper: Unlock economic value at home and abroad, ensuring the Cook Islands’ reputation for authenticity strengthens in global markets. Highlighting the broader significance of the program, Dr Alisi Kautoke Holani, PACER Plus Trade in Services and Investment Lead, noted: “For artisans and cultural practitioners, the program provides recognition and pricing power that reflects their skill and heritage. For entrepreneurs and innovators, it offers a pathway to sustainable growth while proudly carrying the Cook Islands name. For the Cook Islands diaspora, it establishes a channel to contribute to the homeland’s cultural and economic advancement.” With strong interest already expressed by local businesses and cultural leaders, the program is now entering its final co-design stages before launch. The Cook Islands is poised to set an inspiring regional and global benchmark in protecting and promoting cultural identity through trade. -ENDS- More articles like this one
Final Evaluation Confirms Success of the Niue-Solomon Islands Labour Mobility Pilot
Alofi, NIUE – PACER Plus, in collaboration with the Government of Niue, hosted the final evaluation of the Niue-Solomon Islands Labour Mobility Pilot from 1-4 July 2025 in Niue. The ground-breaking labour mobility pilot between Niue and Solomon Islands has been deemed a success, following a comprehensive final evaluation that highlights the initiative’s strong outcomes for both countries. The Niue–Solomon Islands Intra-Pacific Labour Mobility Pilot, launched under the PACER Plus Arrangement on Labour Mobility (ALM) in July 2024, has provided a unique and valuable opportunity for four retired Solomon Islands nationals to address critical labour shortages in Niue’s aged care sector. The final evaluation confirmed that the pilot met its core objectives of facilitating the movement of Pacific labour within Pacific countries to deliver mutual benefits to both labour sending and labour receiving countries. The Niue-Solomon Islands Intra-Pacific Labour Mobility Pilot has provided a valuable opportunity for four retired Solomon Islands nationals to address critical labour shortages in Niue’s aged care sector. The evaluation found that Niue benefited from increased workforce capacity and improved aged care services while the retired nurses from Solomon Islands gained an income-generating opportunity they otherwise would not have had. Both governments demonstrated strong collaboration, which set a precedent for future intra-Pacific labour arrangements. The final evaluation also identified lessons for future intra-Pacific initiatives, including the need for streamlined recruitment processes, tailored pre-departure training, and continued worker welfare support. Niue’s Minister for Finance and Infrastructure, Hon. Crossley Tatui, welcomed the results. “This pilot has demonstrated that Pacific Island countries can work together to solve shared challenges. We are proud to have hosted workers from Solomon Islands and are already seeing the positive impacts in our aged care sector.” Hon. Crossley Tatui, Niue’s Minister for Finance and Infrastructure, Solomon Islands’ Deputy Secretary for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Mr. Hickson George, echoed the sentiment: “This has been an important opportunity for our workers to gain employment in their retirement years and support their families at home. We look forward to expanding such partnerships under the PACER Plus framework.” The success of the pilot has generated interest in scaling up intra-Pacific labour mobility in critical sectors while ensuring that development benefits are shared across the region. PACER Plus will use the evaluation findings to inform the development of Niue’s Labour Mobility Strategy and provide broader regional policy and develop practical guidance for Parties seeking to initiate similar pilot schemes. -ENDS- More articles like this one
Cook Islands Completes Landmark Crop Pest Survey to Strengthen Trade and Plant Health
RAROTONGA, Cook Islands – The Cook Islands has successfully completed a national crop pest survey, its first in years, as part of a push to protect local agriculture and strengthen trade opportunities in the region and beyond. The survey, carried out from 14-25 July 2025 in Aitutaki and Rarotonga, was led by the Cook Islands’ Ministry of Agriculture in partnership with the PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU), Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy (NAQS), New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and Lincoln University. It forms a key part of the Cook Islands’ commitment under PACER Plus to improve its plant health systems and support safe, sustainable trade. Cook Islands’ crop pest survey, its first in years, was led by the by the Cook Islands’ Ministry of Agriculture in partnership with the PPIU, Australia’s DAFF, Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy, New Zealand’s MPI, and Lincoln University. “Keeping our agricultural borders strong for potential export opportunities requires good data. This survey provides exactly that, an up-to-date understanding of the pest and disease risks facing our crops, and a stronger foundation for trade.” Ms. Temarama Anguna-Kamana, Head of the Ministry of Agriculture The fieldwork involved targeted surveillance of key crops and entry pathways across Aitutaki and Rarotonga, followed by in-country diagnostic training for Ministry staff. Samples collected were analysed in-country and further tested in DAFF’s specialised laboratories in Australia. This dual-track approach not only ensured scientific rigour but also built long-term diagnostic capacity within the Ministry. The fieldwork involved surveillance of key crops and entry pathways across Aitutaki and Rarotonga, followed by in-country diagnostic training for Ministry staff. Mr. Alipate Tavo, Trade Adviser at the PACER Plus Implementation Unit, said the plant health surveillance demonstrates how to facilitate international trade while protecting plant life or health in the PACER Plus countries. “Cook Islands is showing leadership by investing in the systems that matter such as biosecurity, pest reporting, and diagnostics,” he said. “We’re pleased to support this work because plant health isn’t just a technical issue. It’s about growing exports, protecting livelihoods, and ensuring farmers can reach new markets with confidence.” The activity included the procurement of specialised traps, lures, and field kits from Australia, and hands-on training for Cook Islands agricultural officers in data collection and pest identification. Survey results will be used to update the Pacific Pest List Database and meet reporting obligations under the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). By providing an updated pest status, the survey sets the stage for more accurate pest risk assessments, improved biosecurity planning, and strengthened trade access for Cook Islands-grown produce, particularly in regional and international markets. A final report capturing the survey’s findings and recommendations will be submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture and the PACER Plus Implementation Unit in August 2025. -ENDS- More articles like this one
PACER Plus Delivers Over $89,000 in Farming Equipment to Boost Agriculture Sector
APIA, Samoa – Samoan farmers received a major boost today with the official handover of more than WST$89,000 (AU$50,000) worth of farming and processing equipment to the Samoa Farmers Association (SFA), thanks to support from the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus. The new equipment – ranging from coffee bean roasters and electric winnowers to taro chippers, multi-use grinders, tillers, ground drillers, brushcutters and chainsaws – is part of the broader project aimed at empowering Samoa’s farming community through increased productivity, improved livelihoods, and stronger market linkages. Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Niuava Eti Malolo. SFA, which represents more than 1,000 farmers across Samoa – including women’s groups, church-based farming collectives, and youth enterprises – will roll out this support through its Empowering Agriculture Project. The project focuses on equipping farmers with the tools they need to improve both the quantity and quality of their produce, enabling greater access to domestic, regional, and international markets. Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Niuava Eti Malolo, acknowledged the significance of the initiative, highlighting its alignment with Samoa’s broader trade and development aspirations. “For Samoa, the PACER Plus Agreement opens doors to new avenues in trade and investment. It aids in refining our systems and standards, enabling more of our local products to meet international market requirements. This is especially significant for agriculture – a sector that remains the backbone of our economy and a vital source of income for many Samoan families.” Hon. Niuava Eti Malolo, Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries. Mr. Roy Lagolago, Head of the PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU), said the initiative aligns with PACER Plus’s development goals of enabling Pacific farmers and small businesses to participate more effectively in trade. “PACER Plus was designed with a vision of driving economic growth and improving the livelihoods of people in the Pacific Island nations,” said Mr. Lagolago. “Through fostering an environment conducive to trade and investment, it enhances regional cooperation and broadens our access to international markets. Today’s handover is a reflection of that mission in action.” PACER Plus supported the project through its Development and Economic Cooperation (DEC) Work Programme, funded by the Australian and New Zealand governments, which assists Pacific Island countries in implementing the PACER Plus Agreement and unlocking trade-related development benefits. Samoa Farmers Association president, Sala Sagato Tuiafiso. SFA President Mr. Sala Sagato Tuiafiso expressed his appreciation for the support and said it will have a lasting impact on the agricultural sector. “Our farmers are the backbone of Samoa’s economy, and this equipment is timely,” said Mr. Sagato. “It will improve how we process, preserve, and present our crops for market. We are especially proud that this support will reach those who need it most – women, youth, and rural farmers – ensuring no one is left behind.” The SFA will work closely with the PPIU to monitor the use and impact of the equipment, supported by a quarterly reporting process and follow-up surveys with farmers and stakeholders. This collaborative approach will help measure tangible outcomes such as increased productivity, improved quality, and access to new markets. The Empowering Agriculture Project also includes plans for future capacity building initiatives, strengthening farmers’ knowledge in sustainable farming practices, post-harvest handling, and business development. -ENDS- More articles like this one
PACER Plus Parties Unite to Tackle Social Impacts of Labour Mobility
The Regional Workshop on Addressing the Social Impacts of Labour Mobility in the PACER Plus Arrangement on Labour Mobility (ALM) opened today and brings together officials from the 11 PACER Plus ALM signatory countries. APIA, Samoa – PACER Plus Parties have come together in Apia, Samoa, this week to talk about how to better understand and address the negative social impacts of Pacific labour mobility. The four-day Regional Workshop on Addressing the Social Impacts of Labour Mobility in the PACER Plus Arrangement on Labour Mobility (ALM) opened today and brings together officials from the 11 PACER Plus ALM signatory countries: Australia, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. The workshop is being hosted by the PACER Plus Implementation Unit (PPIU), which serves as the Labour Mobility Secretariat. The PACER Plus Arrangement on Labour Mobility is a regional cooperation framework that sits alongside the PACER Plus trade agreement. It aims to strengthen labour mobility cooperation by promoting good practices and enabling policies that can increase the mutual development benefits of labour mobility for labour receiving and labour sending countries. Kevin Meplu, Senior Trade Officer at the Solomon Islands Department of External Trade. A review of the ALM in 2023 highlighted the need to do more to protect workers and ensure that labour mobility delivers positive outcomes not just for individuals, but for their families and home communities. The review found that some workers face difficulties such as poor accommodation, high migration costs, and limited understanding of their rights and responsibilities while abroad. It also found that employers and systems in Australia and New Zealand are sometimes not well-equipped to understand or respond to the specific needs and cultural values of Pacific workers. This week’s workshop aims to help define what “social impacts” of labour mobility really mean in a Pacific context — and how best to manage them. Participants will also provide feedback on two important draft tools: the Pacific Guidelines on Sustainable Reintegration, and the General Guidance on Pacific Labour Mobility Worker Recruitment. Both tools are being developed by the PPIU to support better worker preparation, safer migration experiences, and effective labour migration reintegration that enhances the economic and social benefits of labour mobility. “This workshop is a step forward in making sure that the next stage of our work under the ALM responds directly to the needs and priorities of Pacific countries, workers, and communities. We are bringing together the lived realities of our people and using those insights to shape better regional cooperation. Our focus is to complement, not duplicate, what countries and stakeholders are already doing. This is about building something stronger together.” Dr. Alisi Holani, Trade in Services & Investment Adviser and Labour Mobility Specialist at the PPIU Discussions at the workshop will also help shape the new social impacts component of the ALM work programme. The goal is to ensure that it reflects the priorities of Pacific countries and provides practical tools to support ethical recruitment, decent work, and sustainable reintegration of workers. The workshop will conclude on Thursday, 26 June 2025. More articles like this one