Title: Horticulture Entrepreneurship Programme
Location: Samoa
Partners: Wintec
Year: 2020-2024
Challenge:
Across the Pacific, limited access to practical training and clear career pathways has left many young people disconnected from agricultural entrepreneurship, despite its strong potential. In Samoa, this has contributed to under-utilised land and reduced interest in horticulture and food production as viable livelihoods.
Joint Response:
GAP addressed this challenge through an Applied Entrepreneurial Horticulture and Food Training Programme, delivered in partnership with the University of the South Pacific and Wintec. The 13-weeks long course delivered to 40 young people combined hands-on horticulture skills with food safety and basic business training, enabling participants to not only grow crops, but also develop products and understand how to bring them to market.
Impact:
The impact was immediate. Participants developed a range of innovative products, and several were offered employment during graduation, while others progressed into further training or began pursuing their own livelihood opportunities. The programme strengthened both practical skills and confidence, helping participants see agriculture as a viable and rewarding pathway.
A key component of this experience was an international exchange visit to New Zealand, where participants were exposed to the full horticulture value chain—from small-scale producers to export-oriented businesses. By engaging directly with growers, processors, and market actors, they gained practical insight into quality standards, value addition, and viable business models. The visit reinforced how ideas developed during training could translate into real enterprises, while broadening perspectives and strengthening ambition for future opportunities.
Title: Horticulture Entrepreneurship Programme
Location: Samoa
Partners: Wintec
Year: 2020-2024
Challenge:
Across the Pacific, limited access to practical training and clear career pathways has left many young people disconnected from agricultural entrepreneurship, despite its strong potential. In Samoa, this has contributed to under-utilised land and reduced interest in horticulture and food production as viable livelihoods.
Joint Response:
GAP addressed this challenge through an Applied Entrepreneurial Horticulture and Food Training Programme, delivered in partnership with the University of the South Pacific and Wintec. The 13-weeks long course delivered to 40 young people combined hands-on horticulture skills with food safety and basic business training, enabling participants to not only grow crops, but also develop products and understand how to bring them to market.
Impact:
The impact was immediate. Participants developed a range of innovative products, and several were offered employment during graduation, while others progressed into further training or began pursuing their own livelihood opportunities. The programme strengthened both practical skills and confidence, helping participants see agriculture as a viable and rewarding pathway.
A key component of this experience was an international exchange visit to New Zealand, where participants were exposed to the full horticulture value chain—from small-scale producers to export-oriented businesses. By engaging directly with growers, processors, and market actors, they gained practical insight into quality standards, value addition, and viable business models. The visit reinforced how ideas developed during training could translate into real enterprises, while broadening perspectives and strengthening ambition for future opportunities.
