Samoa faces a growing crisis of food-related health conditions, with 81% of deaths now attributed to preventable non-communicable diseases (NCDs). A breakdown in traditional agriculture and over-reliance on imported processed foods has made nutritious, local food inaccessible to 1 in 4 Samoans. In response, Mercy Ships Australia, working with the Government of Samoa and UN ...
MERCY SHIPS AUSTRALIA LIMITED
Smart Regenerative Agriculture – to improve the health and well-being of Samoans
GOAL
$1,000,000
Australia
Field of Interest
- Education/training and employment
- Health/wellbeing and medical research
Target Population
- People experiencing socio-economic disadvantage or vulnerability
- People with a disability, illness or disease
MERCY SHIPS AUSTRALIA LIMITED
Mercy Ships is an international development charity with a 45-year track record of delivering surgical care and building health system resilience across Africa and the Pacific. Our impact spans more than 70 nations and has earned the trust of governments, UN agencies, and leading philanthropic partners.
In the Pacific, our integrated approach to regenerative agriculture, health education, and food systems reform has proven both culturally effective and highly scalable. Our work is grounded in long-term relationships with Ministries of Health, Education, and Agriculture, and is co-designed with local communities. We are now poised to scale a successful pilot into a national model that addresses the intersection of nutrition, climate, and economic empowerment in Samoa and beyond.
Project Summary
Samoa faces a growing crisis of food-related health conditions, with 81% of deaths now attributed to preventable non-communicable diseases (NCDs). A breakdown in traditional agriculture and over-reliance on imported processed foods has made nutritious, local food inaccessible to 1 in 4 Samoans.
In response, Mercy Ships Australia, working with the Government of Samoa and UN agencies, has successfully launched the first phase of a Smart Regenerative Farming initiative. This proof-of-concept phase included baseline data collection, curriculum co-design, and government-endorsed program planning.
The next phase will scale this model nationally:
- Establishing a Regenerative Agriculture & Nutrition Education Centre in Apia
- Training 1,000+ farmers in regenerative, climate-resilient techniques
- Delivering nutrition education to over 5,000 children and parents
- Deploying agri-tech tools for smart decision-making
This cross-sectoral solution restores traditional knowledge, boosts national food sovereignty, and reduces the health and environmental costs of chemical agriculture. With $1.5M already committed by a private family office, we now seek strategic co-investment to complete the scale-up.
The project aligns with ACF’s focus areas of climate, food justice, and First Nations and Pasifika wellbeing, directly advancing SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
Project Outcomes
This initiative delivers outcomes aligned with major donor values: measurable health impact, local capacity-building, and climate resilience. It has the potential to be replicated across the Pacific, offering a multiplier effect on philanthropic capital.
• 1,000+ farmers trained in regenerative, chemical-free agriculture, improving food quality and environmental health
• Reduction in agrochemical use across targeted farming zones, resulting in improved soil, water, and crop health
• Establishment of a national training and innovation Centre for regenerative farming and digital agriculture in Apia
• 5,000+ schoolchildren and families educated on healthy eating and sustainable farming, shifting national dietary habits toward fresh, local produce
• Real-time decision-making by farmers using climate and pest data tools, increasing crop resilience and reducing waste
• Improved public health indicators (especially NCD-related) through increased access to nutritious, locally grown food
This initiative is more than a project, it is a system change model for Pacific Island nations addressing malnutrition, youth health, and regenerative agriculture simultaneously. Co-investors will directly contribute to a national transformation strategy supported by government and international agencies.
Impact Snapshot Box
• 5-year reach: 6,000+ individuals
• 70% of participants projected to reduce chemical inputs
• 30% increase in produce consumption among families
• Centre designed for replication across SIDS
Quote from Government or Farmer"
“This project is reviving our land and our health. We’ve never had something like this before." – Faumuina Gaualofa Matalavea-Sa’aga
Budget Breakdown
TOTAL BUDGET: $2,500,000
FUNDING
| Funding source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Victoria Family Office | $1,500,000 |
EXPENSES
| Expense item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Training & Farmer Support | $950,000 |
| Centre Construction & Equipment | $750,000 |
| Curriculum & School Engagement | $400,000 |
| Agri-Tech Tools & Monitoring | $250,000 |
| Program Oversight & Monitoring & Evaluation | $150,000 |
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