Strategy for the Development of Samoa (SDS) 2005–2007.

The Strategy for the Development of Samoa is a national policy with a multi-sectoral approach. The timeframe of the Strategy is 3 years covering the period from 2005 to 2007. This Strategy lays down priority strategies to achieve a thriving and profitable private sector; a strong and diversified agriculture sector; a dynamic and sustainable tourism industry; a coherent, stable and entrepreneurial community; and an efficient and effective education and health services.
Private sector investment will be promoted to achieve the national vision of a better quality of life, develop the private sector, and create employment opportunities. Investment will be attractted in areas where Samoa has strong comparative advantage. The maintenance of macroeconomic stability will be pursued as a prerequisite for sustained economic growth. Fiscal policies will be geared towards maintaining fiscal discipline allowing structural changes that would boost economic growth. Efforts towards improved utility service in the provision of electricity, water, telecommunications, as well as supportive infrastructure in terms of road, sea and air transport will be rigorously continued.
The key strategies to achieve water sector goals include: (i) providing a coherent and comprehensive institutional framework for effective implementation, (ii) building institutional capacity to manage, develop and sustain water supply and sanitation services, (iii) improving and rehabilitating water supply systems, particularly in the more remote rural areas, (iv) increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of water supply systems and service provision, (v) implementing sanitation and wastewater improvements in both urban and rural areas, and (vi) providing a focal point for sustainable water resource management for strengthening water resource assessment, management and monitoring.
The impact of accession to regional and multilateral free trade agreements on domestic businesses will be closely scrutinized to ensure that the new regime will benefit local businesses. Updated market information, including quarantine requirements to exporting businesses and farmers, will be provided. For agricultural products, a dedicated marketing research and information services division will be established within the Ministry of Agriculture to provide timely market information to farmers, in terms of price, quality standards and quarantine requirements for new markets and new products. Suitable government-owned land will be identified and marketed for investment. A Land Leasing Committee will be established to identify and facilitate the discussion and negotiation of customary lands for development, and a broad review of the economic use of customary land will be conducted.
Agriculture development will target increased agricultural activity for local consumption as well as commercial investment. Improved crop production, fisheries, livestock and forestry development will also be intensified to accelerate agriculture growth in the SDS period. Food security will be ensured by increasing production of rootcrops, treecrops and vegetables; considering selective incentives to revitalise traditional crops such as taro, cocoa and coconut; promoting village farm competitions; encouraging the formation of farmer associations; strengthening extension services; ensuring the availability of farming information to all in a transparent, and user-friendly way; providing support to organisations that provide sound scientific and technical advice to farmers; and exploring other options for farmers, such as fish farming, honey bees, sheep and other crop varieties.
Large scale commercial farming will be encouraged through commercial investment. Value added production and niche marketing will be prioritized for the development of crops, livestock, forestry and fishery. Assistance and technical support will be provided for farmers, fishermen, foresters, processors and exporters. Appropriate infrastructure and systems will be provided to support commercial and export growth. New high value-added crops and products will be developed. Laboratory support will be provided to meet food quality specifications and climatic data for new ventures. The certification of organic products will be facilitated. Training and testing will be carried out for pesticide residues. Research will be conducted as regards down-stream processing of organic products.
The fisheries sector will be developed by implementing the National Tuna Management Plan; increasing proportion of tuna catch exported as high value fresh chilled fish; providing supportive infrastructure to support commercial and export growth; examining the quota system for large fishing boats; monitoring in-shore fisheries management through the community fisheries project; developing village and district aquaculture ventures for commercial domestic and export markets; promoting village fish nurseries; and strengthening the partnership between commercial fishermen and Ministry of Agriculture in managing fish resources.
Forestry development will be ensured by enforcing the plan on a sustainably harvested forestry industry; regulating the logging of native forests; enforcing new pricing structure to reflect a fair return on the resource; promoting community forestry planting; establishing village forestry nurseries; strengthening the enforcement of harvesting regulations for indigenous forest; conduct research into high value added quality furniture making; examining the viability of joint ventures between customary land owners and sawmillers; and examining the commercializing use of coconut timber trees.
Livestock development will be intensified as an import substitution strategy. The integration of sheep into the traditional farming system will be promoted. Distribution of superior cattle from government farms will continue to provide breeding stock to improve the national herd. Improvements in cattle feeding and breeding will be pursued to increase farm profitability and the size of the national herd. The importation of tropical sheep will enhance meat production for local consumption and possibly export. In this regard, the integration of sheep into the traditional farming system will be promoted.
Section 3 of the Strategy sets out the summary of the implementation of key strategic outcomes of the Strategy for the Development of Samoa 2002–2004 and lessons learned.