A sheep farmer from Savai'i is reaping the benefits of participating in the Samoa Agriculture and Fisheries Productivity and Marketing Project.

The 34-year-old Matoka Junior Matoka of Gataivai Savaii successfully met the requirements to qualify for the S.A.F.P.R.O.M. Matching Grants Programme last year, when he received grant disbursement of tools and materials in December to build a sheep shelter and fence, and two pasture blocks for the sheep cattle.

The project is run under auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (M.A.F.) and is funded by the World Bank and the International Fund for Agriculture Development.

According to a statement issued by S.A.F.P.R.O.M. Mr. Makota said he has seen many farmers raising sheep in Savai'i and knows they are making good income from selling their product 

"Which is why I’m so happy and excited to develop my sheep farm," Mr. Makota said. “I started off with just three sheep which then grew to 10.

"I realised that for better animal health as well as growing my sheep cattle I needed to build a shelter to provide a safe and clean environment which is why I applied for the S.A.F.P.R.O.M. Matching Grant Program.

“I now have 15 sheep and my goal is increase my cattle to 40 so by selling off the sheep I will be able to take care of my family as well as invest back in the business to continue growing it.”

Mr. Makota said that he had learnt a lot from his father, as it is only him and his younger siblings who are living in Samoa while the rest reside overseas.

"I love my brothers and sisters and I know they want to save up money and develop their own families overseas," he said. "It’s one of the main reasons why I’m determined to help my father grow and develop our farm so we can earn our own income and not rely on my siblings.

“I had planned to go on to university after high school, my father told me I can spend money to go to university or I can make money to develop my family as a farmer. 

"At the time I didn’t believe that I could make good income as a farmer and I felt sad that I didn’t go to university.

“But as time went on and I developed a good farm with my father, I started to see the results and realised what he said was true and now I know, it’s not always about having an office job because we all have money in our plantations.

"I’ve learnt so much from my father, I’m so lucky to have him guide me in this journey because he has taught me all about pest control and diseases that can affect our livestock and crops. 

"He has many innovative ideas that we test out on our farm."

Mr. Makota said that he plans to pass on his knowledge to his son when he grows up.

"We won’t always be living in this world together so I will use this God given time to share all my knowledge about the land just like my father is doing with me now," he said.

He had then given his thanks to M.A.F. for helping them through the project and is grateful for what he has received.