The recently formed Samoa Apiculture Organization (SAO), is the recipient of a financial grant of US$100,000 from the United Nations Development programme (UNDP) Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP).
The grant will go towards improving the understanding and knowledge of apiculture, capacity development, and training of local beekeepers to strengthen knowledge and skills in beekeeping to realize better beekeeping practices and greater production.
This in turn will assist in improving the capacity of locally-trained and available expertise on-island to create a sustainable apiculture industry in Samoa.
An inception workshop was held on Wednesday this week to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the organization and the UNDP GEF-SGP, making official the grant handover.
“In light of the global pandemic and everything happening around the world currently, it is imperative that we continue to keep our eye on the environment and climate change.
“We need to continue to be vigilant in our quest for the protection of our natural heritage, especially in our vulnerable communities. Resilience is built when we build up those who are most at risk.
“This is where the SGP comes in, and why we are always excited about the work SGP does, working directly with local communities to promote actions and initiatives that benefit vulnerable populations and support efforts on sustainable development.
“This boost to the local apiculture industry is a great example of this,” said Jorn Sorensen,Resident Representative, UNDP Samoa.
SAO currently has more than 40 financial members, with 57% of the membership being women, who are either farmers, growers, hobbyists, or commercial beekeepers.
