The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries of Samoa has inaugurated its first Digital Media Hub at the TATTE Building in Apia, designed to enhance public outreach and communication. Equipped with advanced digital and audiovisual technologies, the Hub will produce timely, high-quality information and awareness content on food, agriculture, and fisheries. The initiative aims to strengthen transparency, document program results, and modernize the Ministry’s engagement with stakeholders and the public.
The European Union, through its Sustainable Transformation of Domestic Agrifood Systems (STODAS) project in Fiji, Samoa, and the Solomon Islands, is a major contributor to the Hub, with technical support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Complementary support has also been provided by the Market Development Facility, funded by the Australian Government.
Minister Fuimaono Maiava Tito Asafo emphasized that the Hub will enable the Ministry to deliver accurate agricultural and fisheries information efficiently, while reinforcing communication strategies that reach farmers, fishers, and partners. By leveraging digital platforms and visual storytelling, the facility is expected to improve knowledge access and services across Samoa’s agricultural sector.
While emphasizing digital innovation, the Hub is also designed to serve communities with limited internet access. It will improve the quality of printed materials, television, and radio programming, complementing extension and advisory services to ensure vital information reaches rural and remote areas.
EU Ambassador to the Pacific, H.E. Barbara Plinkert, highlighted the Hub’s role in supporting Samoa’s agricultural sector, food security, and economic growth. She noted that the EU’s contribution strengthens the Ministry’s capacity to provide farmers and agribusinesses with the information needed to innovate, grow, and contribute to sustainable development, aligning with the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy on connectivity.
FAO, as the implementing partner of the STODAS project, recognized the Hub as a model of international cooperation, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that all communities have access to accurate and timely information about food, agriculture, and fisheries. The launch was attended by representatives from the Australian High Commission, government officials, development partners, and stakeholders from Samoa’s agriculture and fisheries sector.
