Climate and subsistence agriculture on Upolu, Western Samoa : Opportunities to increase production : A project report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Applied Science

Abstract

This paper investigates climate as a possible framework for agricultural planning to improve subsistence production on the island of Upolu, Western Samoa. It is based on library research and published data. Traditional agriculture, as practiced before European influence and at present, is described, along with the climatic requirements of the main food crops. This subsistence system, which supported Samoans well in the past, is considered an appropriate base from which to plan changes to improve agricultural productivity. A detailed analysis of the regional and local climate results in the island being divided into five agroclimatic sectors. Three applications of the use of agroclimatological analysis illustrate how the knowledge of climate and microclimates can facilitate the improvement of yields from subsistence production on Upolu. The first describes the agroclimate and agricultural potentials of each of the five sectors. The second uses agroclimatic mapping to describe and assess agricultural microclimates in one sector. The third uses crop–climate diagrams to plan agricultural diversification in another sector using crop rotations and the introduction of new crops. The climate of Upolu shows considerable spatial and temporal variability, presenting both risks to subsistence agriculture and opportunities for its diversification and improvement.