17 Mar 2008

Sheep distribution in Samoa

9:26 am on 17 March 2008

30 farmers in Samoa will soon be receiving sheep from the government.

In 2004, sheep farming was introduced in Samoa with the importing of 40 ewes and four rams from Fiji.

Three years later, supported by a breeding programme and the birth of many twins and triplets, the stock of sheep has increased six-fold and now totals 248 .

114 of the flock are breeding females.

The sheep are about to be distributed to 30 farmers in Upolu and Savaii, who have undergone training in sheep farming.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations provided the sheep to Samoa under a Pacific regional program for food security,

The Apia-based chief of FAO in the Pacific, Vili Fuavao, says the sheep are performing well under local conditions and would seem to fit in well with traditional farming.