13 Nov 2009

Samoa's agriculture ministry welcomes organic produce venture

10:40 am on 13 November 2009

Samoa's agriculture ministry says growing organic produce is a good option for families having to rebuild their livelihoods after the tsunami.

Many affected families that used to settle on the coast have moved further inland and are turning to growing organic produce for export.

The organisation, Women in Business Development is helping them plant trees and prepare new sections of land for organic farming.

The agriculture ministry's chief executive officer, Asuao Kirifi Pouono, is pleased with the development.

"The area that was hit by the tsunami used to be a tourist resort area. And agriculture coming in, in that case organic, would provide an option of a good source of income for them [people]."

Asuao Kirifi Pouono says the government fully backs the initiative.