1. Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Labour
Matagaluega o Pisinisi, Alamanuia ma
Leipa
P.O. Box 862
Apia
SAMOA
Telephone: 20441
Facsimile: 20443
Email: mpal@mcil.gov.ws.
Website: www. mcil.gov. ws
Level 4, ACB House, Apia
[inclusive of Registries of Companies and Intellectual Property]
APPLICATION FORM
• CATEGORY B Small Projects AND
• CATEGORY A Application Form N.B. Applications for larger multi-year funding may require supplementary budget blank
for greater budget detail information.
• If a heading is not applicable (n/a) to your application, write ‘n/a’ as your response to that heading
• If you require more space for responses under each Question, please attach extra pages to this form.
Delivery of Applications
- Category ‘A’ must be in both hard copy and e-copy (e-mail or on CD)
- Category ‘B’ hard copy only
- One clean and legible set of the completed Application Form along with relevant supporting documents including quotes
(in hard copy) is to be delivered to the Secretariat (MCIL) before 4.00 p.m. on the nominated closing date. Note: on receipt,
each application will be allocated a reference number to assist later communications.
1. Project Title: Developing and promoting two “new exotic fruits” (dragon fruit and longan) for
SAMOA (see pictures on last page).
2. Community of Interest/Applicant Group (who is to be involved/ group name; stakeholders represented)
Family Project – Family Project
3. Project Team Composition (provide the individual’s name, designation, organisation & affiliation)
Project Manager/Group Leader: Tuulima Laiti
Designation:
Organisation/Affiliation:
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The harmonised system for Development Partner funding support to the Private Sector Economy in Samoa
REF #:

2. 4. Contact Details:
Name: Tuulima Laiti
Telephone: 7785303
Fax:
Address: Magiagi
Email: tuulimalaiti@gmail.com
5. The project background.
Please explain the background to your proposal and the nature of the opportunity for which you / your group
seeks funding support from the PSSF
The dragon fruit Hylocereus undatus (also known as pitaya) and longan, Dimocarpus longan, are two well
known and very popular fresh fruits in South East Asia. Both fruits are major exports and foreign exchange
earners for many Asian country economies like Vietnam, China and Thailand.
Both fruit trees were introduced into Samoa (dragon fruit as cuttings; longan as seedlings) from Thailand some
four years ago as new varieties. For the past four years, both plants have been nurtured and cultivated at
Magiagi, some 150 meters above sea level. From then on, the fruit trees have been proven to grow and
perform well in the Samoan environment. When cyclone Evan struck last year the dragon fruits sustained
minimal damage. The longan trees however sustained some damage that have an impact on flowering.
For the last 15 months, the dragon fruit trees produced around 100 lovely fruits. These were distributed locally
and the response from Samoans who tasted them was fantastic. The longan trees were expected to flower and
produce fruits this year but due to cyclone Evans this is delayed by 1 to 2 years. As proven in Asian countries
with similar climate, both fruits are ideal for commercial development and have huge potential for utilization in
the domestic, hospitality and tourism industries. Export of these commodities is a realistic prospect once a
reliable, sustainable and quality core supply is guaranteed.
Work has now begun to rehabilitate and rejuvenate both fruit trees. At the moment, “cuttings” (e.g. of
vegetative or asexual propagation) of dragon fruit have now been nursed in 6½ PB size planting bags, as a first
step for mass multiplication of planting materials. To have a consistent supply of ‘true-to-type’ planting stock of
dragon fruit, a “gene pool” (also known as “gene bank”) will be established to source ‘cuttings’ for continuous
planting material multiplication.
For the longans, which have now produced a lot of new shoots from the tree stumps left by Evans, “air-layers”
(another e.g. of vegetative propagation) will be done on the new growths, again for mass multiplication of stock
material. A “gene bank” will be set up for this tree fruit for the same purpose as for the dragon fruit.
To get premium quality ‘green’ fruits, either for fresh consumption or for export, it is vital to churn out “true-to-
type” stock material for planting. For this to materialize, employing ‘vegetative (asexual) propagation’ methods
(e.g. cuttings, air-layer, budding, grafting, etc.) must be adopted.
Once the planting material is ready (approximately 3-4 months for both the dragon fruit tree and longan fruit
tree) planting material would be available for interested farmers and other stakeholders.
In order to develop this opportunity, funding is sought for a water tank for irrigation, a simple shade house
structure mostly utilizing local materials [e.g. hardwoods (poumuli, tava, teak) and bamboo], “planting”
materials, tools, weedicides and fertilizers.
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3. 6. Project Justification
Applicants need to present a Business Case – no matter how simple that case might be.
(a) Who/what is the target market for the initiative?
The target market can be divided into three main groups:
1. The farmers and other stakeholders to sell the tree stock for transplanting to. This ensures an early
return of the investment and supports the financial sustainability.
2. The domestic market including hospitality and tourism as well as the general population. This will be a
stepping stone for a reliable and quality fruit production as well as an added nutritional option
especially for children.
3. The export markets of New Zealand and Australia.
(b) The commercial potential and benefits to the Group/Sector’s overall objective. Outline proposed activities
and how these will address the specific problem or opportunity.
The overall objective is to establish new fruit trees in Samoa that are an addition to the few varieties available
and thus add to a healthy staple diet, introduce interesting flavours to the hospitality and tourism industry and
provide an additional income to many farmers and growers.
These selected plants are known as clones or cultivars (or varieties). These clones are produced by “asexual
propagation” (e.g. grafting, budding, air-layer, cuttings, etc.), NOT by sexual reproduction (seeds/seedlings).
Therefore, the major activities of the project are establishing “gene banks” and using asexual propagation
techniques of air-layer and cuttings to produce ‘true-to-type’ fruit tree planting materials in a controlled
environment.
This is essential to guarantee a consistent quality of fruit which is essential to satisfy the local and export
market.
(c) The ‘Value Chain’ feature: what is there a special feature or innovation about the proposal that sets it
apart, and presumably better, than existing practices?
The main feature of this project is the establishment of a gene bank to guarantee the quality of trees grown.
This ensures only trees that are true-to-type are planted.
Currently there seems to be no gene bank in a controlled environment that can offer these fruit tree varieties in
Samoa. A coordinated effort to distribute these varieties is essential to guarantee quality outputs to the
requirements of local and export markets. This project will fill this gap. The diagram below shows the overall
role of the gene bank in the value chain as the foundation to a successful product.
Input-Producer-Buyer linkages in the Value Chain
(d) Sustainability: what will ensure that the project is viable once funding from the PSSF ceases?
PSSF funding is the start-up capital to assist to establish the main project activities and core business
operations. These crops are convenient additions to family agro-forestry farming systems, a very popular way
of farming in the traditional Samoan setting. Once the key operations are in place, the project will be able to
sustain itself by
1. selling planting stock to farmers and
2. selling fruit produce to the consumer
(e) Risks: what are the risks of the proposed initiative not being successful – if this application for funding is
successful?
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Financial and information flows
Physical flows
Institutional environment (laws, regulations, etc)
Inputs
(gene
bank
produced
Production
Buyer
Processor Distribution Consumption
Supporting/Facilitating Services like MAF, Samoa Farmers Association etc

4. 7. Ability to Deliver
(a) Describe the skills, specialist or otherwise, and the experience available to complete the project.
The farmer, (also the leader and manager of this project), graduated with a degree in Agricultural Science from
the University of the South Pacific in 1993. His working career includes more than 20 years with the Ministry
of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) specializing in the FAO/UNDP/MAF Fruit Tree Development Project of the
1980’s/90’s for more then 7 years. The farmer is currently farming himself and has been doing this for many
years. On the farm in Magiagi we have been growing fruit trees successfully for over 10 years.
(b) Is the project expected to require an Environmental Impact Assessment, and if so, what action for this is
proposed?
No.
(c) Does the project require use of or access to Customary Land – and if so, how is this requirement to be
met?
Yes, the farmer has been living on the land for 15 years now and the father in law has granted the authority
verbally for the utilization of the parcel of land for this project. The land belongs to my wife’s father’s
ancestors.
8. Benefits to the Economy
(a) The SDS connection and sector strategies: what is the overall contribution to the strategic development of
the country?
This dragon fruit and longan project provides a promising and lucrative investment for local farmers to further
agriculture development in terms of crop diversification. This will also improve food security, add to the family
income, reduce unemployment and eventually increase contribution to export and GDP.
The provision of “true-to-type” planting material for growers and the general public is a specific objective and
goal of this project. This is very important not only for increase production and sustaining crop productivity but
much more from a market and marketing perspective and thus to the overall economy of Samoa.
This project in directly linked to the SDS in the following ways:
• Key outcome 2: Re-invigorate Agriculture, provision of planting material, increase GDP, reduced
imports of agricultural products in particular fruits, improved local supply, increased investment in
agriculture
• Key outcome 3: Revitalized Exports, support and promote niche export and high value added products
• Key outcome 4: Sustainable tourism, ensure quality product and service delivery, strengthen linkages
between tourism and other sectors of the economy
• Key outcome 5: Enabling Environment for Business Development, promote small business
development, focused support of rural businesses
• Key outcome 13: Environmental Sustainability, promote the use of good land use management
practice, increase of land area covered by forest
(b) The ‘loop-back’ connection: how will people at the first level of the economy benefit from this proposal?
Farmers will have a high-quality supply of ‘true-to-type’ planting materials, a prerequisite for improve crop
production and sustainable crop productivity.
The two new fruits offer another viable option for village based farmers to create employment and earn added
income for both the family and community.
Increased fruit consumption in the family, school or at work will greatly improve nutrition and health especially
for the disadvantaged members like children, elderly and those with special needs.
Another lucrative export crop for foreign exchange earnings that will help generate income and so benefit the
community at all levels including the most vulnerable.
9. Previous Work – describe previously completed work relevant to this proposal
Previous experience growing fruit trees includes fruit planting rambutan, many kinds of citrus (sweet oranges,
limes & lemons, grapefruit and pomelo), mango, starfruit, mangosteen, apiu, pineapple, avocado, coconut and
now dragon fruit and longan.
Invaluable experience was also gained working for over 7 years in the FAO/UNDP/MAF Fruit Tree
Development Project of the 1980’s/90’s.
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5. 10. Milestones – Please complete the Description, Due Dates & Estimated Cost Columns
Please list the major activities and outcomes of the project)
NOTE: Projects greater than SAT$20,000 and for larger multi-year funding may require a Supplementary
Budget attachment for greater budget detail information. Milestones below are to match the information in
the Supplementary Budget
No Description [Milestones are the stages, with dates, by
which you will carry out your proposal]
Due Date
(month/year)
Estimated Cost ($000)
PSSF Total
1 Secure & prepare ‘poumuli’, ‘tava’ and teak hardwood
trees to make support posts for the dragon fruit – 25
poumuli/tava/teak x $100. This activity has begun using
a ‘loan’ chainsaw.
May/June
2013
2500 2500
2 Start nurturing dragon fruit ‘cuttings’ in plastic bags –
200 cuttings x $15. This activity has also started.
May/June
2013
3000 3000
3 Prepare poumuli, tava, teak posts and bamboo stems
and erect shade house basic structure. This work has
also been initiated.
June/July
2013
1500 1500
4 Procure and piece together other shade house
components – shade cloth net, clear plastic, line wire,
ready mixed concrete.
July 2013 3,355 3,355
5 Procure other materials – tools (wheelbarrow, spade,
shovel and rake), knapsack sprayer, weedicides, planting
bags and fertilizers/manures.
July 2013 1,751.8 1,751.8
6 Secure and source planting media – soil, river sand (or
other coarse materials).
June/July
2013
370 370
7 Procure and install water tank and fittings. August
2013
2500 2500
8 Mechanical services – repair chainsaw, purchase blade
and chain.
June 2013 350 350
9 Air-layers of longan tree – 100 AL @$20 August
2013
2000 2000
10 Total 17,326.80
X FINAL REPORT
11. Project Funding – All figures to be inclusive of GST
Project Costing (SAT$)
EXPENDITURE [ The main part or tasks (things) on which the funding will be spent]
Item 1: ‘Poumuli’, ‘tava’ and teak hardwood trees to make support posts for the dragon
fruit
2,500.00
Item 2: Dragon fruit ‘cuttings’ for planting material. 3,000.00
Item 3: Samoan timber/wood (poumuli, tava, teak and bamboo) for shade house basic
structure.
1,500.00
Item 4: Procure and piece together other shade house components – shade cloth net,
clear plastic, line wire, ready mixed concrete.
3,355.00
Item 5: Other materials – tools (wheelbarrow, spade, shovel, rake), knapsack sprayer,
weedicides, planting bags and fertilizers/manure
1,751.80
Item 6: Soil media – soil, river sand (or other coarse materials). 370.00
Item 7: Water tank and fittings. 2,500.00
Item 8: Mechanical services – repair chainsaw, purchase blade and chain. 350.00
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6. Item 9: Air-layers of longan tree. 2,000.00
Item 10: Labour and technical expertise (and other inputs) - In kind. 1,732.68
Total Project Cost ST$19,059.48
Where Project Funds Will Come From
SOURCE OF FUNDS
N.B. Category ‘A’ Applications for larger multi-year funding may require supplementary budget blank for
greater budget detail information.
Contributions for FINANCIAL years (01 July – 30 June)
Year One Year One Year Two Year Three Total
(a) Cash Contributions
Multi Year funding applies to Category ‘A’ Applic.
only
PSSFs Requested (this fund)
Other sources of Govt funds (name):
Other Funders (names):
Source 1:
Source 2:
Source 3:
(a) Total Cash (incl. GST)
(b) In-Kind Contributions
Contributor 1:
Contributor 2:
Contributor 3:
(b) Total In-Kind (incl. GST)
Overall Total Contributions (incl.
GST)
STATUS OF CASH CONTRIBUTIONS
SOURCE
Confirmed
Yes/No
Pending
Yes/No
In discussion
Yes/No
Discussed
Yes/No
Other Govt Funds:
Source 1:
Source 2:
Source 3:
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7. 12. Declaration
(Insert the name of the person making the declaration on behalf of the Group and his or her position within the
Group.)
I, …………………………… being the ……………………………… of the Group
hereby:
I declare that I am authorised by the Group to make this declaration on its behalf.
I confirm that:
1. The information contained in this Grant Application to the PSSF is accurate and accept that if any
information given, or representation made to the Steering Group in this request, or subsequent
correspondence, or made during the course of the Project (if it proceeds) is found to be misleading or
inaccurate in any material respect; then the Steering Group may at its discretion withdraw the grant so
that no further payments are made.
2. The project is believed to be eligible for a PSSF grant and separate accounts will be kept for the
project funding received.
3. I agree that the Secretariat, Sector Advisory Panels and the deciding Steering Group, nominated
consultants and suppliers all being persons without a direct conflict of interest in the applicant’s
proposal, may at their discretion carry out reference checks in relation to any previous work that has
been undertaken with Development Partners and / or other donors assistance and that all references
and reports obtained by them will be confidential to them.
4. If a grant is given, a contract will be entered between the Applicant/Grantee and the Crown;
5. Summary information about the application and any resulting grant (including applicant name, project
title, and a précis of the proposal, its progress and results) may be made publicly available through the
PSSF; and
6. The signatory has the authority to commit the Applicant / Grantee to this application / contract.
7. Furthermore, but submitting this application, the Applicant Group acknowledges that the assessment
of projects will be a subjective and relative process, and that the Steering Group has final decision-
making authority in this process.
Signature _______________________________________________
Dated this ________________ day of__________________ Year _____________
Where appropriate, Applicant/Group Seal
Date when application was received
Name of Receiving Officer
Signature of Receiving Officer
Comments
For PSSF Secretariat Use Only
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8. PSSF Secretariat:
Industry Development
& Investment
Promotion Division
(IDIP)
DRAGON
FRUIT &
TREE
LONGAN
FRUIT &
TREE
Magiagi dragon fruit
Magiagi dragon fruit
Note: Except the two dragon fruit pictures indicated, the rest were from the
internet.
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