January 2025
Wednesday 22
Apia, Samoa (January 22nd 2025): Beekeepers from across the Pacific will be gathering in Samoa for the inaugural Bee Pasefika Congress, marking a pivotal moment for the region’s apiculture industry. The event brings together over 30 beekeepers from four Pacific Island countries to provide an opportunity for peer to peer learning for bee keepers in the Pacific to share knowledge and network for the protection of honey bees.
With 70% of the Pacific population living in rural communities, and farming households representing ¾ of the rural population, agriculture provides food and nutritional security, and a means of an income. Beekeeping plays a significant role in agriculture as it contributes environmentally, economically and socially. Environmentally, bees support pollination helping to encourage biodiversity. Economic returns can be enjoyed through domestic sales with the growing incidence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), as well as with export, and the social issues such as health can be improved as more citizens are encouraged to use honey as a substitute to other sweeteners.
This landmark initiative is part of an EU-IFAD funded project led by the Samoa Farmers Association (SFA), aimed at boosting the productivity and profitability of smallholder beekeeping enterprises. The congress is a collaborative effort delivered in partnership with Samoa Farmer Association (SFA), Women in Business Development Inc. (WIBDI) Samoa, the Samoa Apiculture Organisation (SAO), the Fiji Beekeepers Association (FBA), and the Pacific Island Farmers Organisation Network (PIFON).
“”We are thrilled to support the Bee Pasefika Congress in Samoa, building on the incredible success of the 1st Pacific Bee Congress held in May 2023,” said Kyle Stice, PIFON Executive Director.
Clayton Simamao, a member of the Bee Pasefika Congress organizing committee, emphasized the significance of the event: “This congress is a vital platform for knowledge-sharing, innovation, and building resilience in our region’s beekeeping industry.”
The congress brings together a diverse group of participants, including beekeepers, government officials, and industry representatives from Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa.
The FO4ACP Project, which underpins this initiative, is a partnership between the European Union, the African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and PIFON. It aims to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers by promoting sustainable agricultural practices and strengthening farmer organizations.
As the congress unfolds, it promises to deliver actionable insights and forge lasting connections that will empower Pacific beekeepers and advance the regional apiculture industry.