Agriculture plays a small but important role in American Samoa’s economy, providing jobs and food security for rural communities. Key crops include bananas, breadfruits, taro, yams and tropical fruits. Fishing and livestock farming of pigs and chickens also sustain local diets.
However, recurring hurricanes often devastate crops. Infertile soil, small landholdings and lack of irrigation limit productivity. This makes American Samoa heavily reliant on imported foods. Expanding agriculture is also challenged by the territory’s remoteness and lack of transport infrastructure.
There is potential to boost output through initiatives around agro-processing, organic farming and fisheries development. Consulting assistance can help revamp traditional methods by introducing climate-smart technologies. Building local capacity and linking farmers to export channels will also strengthen food production capacities over the long term.