By Roland Bourdeix, Malua Solinuu. Valerie Saena Tuia and Alofa Leuluaialii

This website returns the information collected during four scientific visits conducted in 2001, 2010, 2012 and 2017 on behalf the Ministry of Agriculture of Samoa, the International Coconut Genetic Resources Network, the Secretatiat of the South Pacific Community, the Global Crop Diversity Trust, Bioversity International, CIRAD (French Centre for Agricultural Research and Development), the Coconut Industry Development for the Pacific (CIDP project) and the Darwin Initiative "Saving Pacific Coconuts".



Exportation and importation of Coconut germplasm From/to Samoa


  • Queen Emma who brought Samoan types to Kokopo (E.N.B.P) late last century (18 Th.) made the first recorded coconut introductions from Samoa to Papua New Guinea. See Robson, RW, Queen Emma, Brisbane, Robt. Brown, 1994, p. 153. p. 201-2.p 203
  •  According to Gangolly et al (1957), Hamilton and Grange (1937) recorded seven varieties of dwarf palms in Samoa, which were subsequently planted at Buitenzorg (now Bogor botanical garden, Java, Indonesia). See Hamilton W.M. and Grange, L. I. (1937) Report on the soils and Agriculture of Western Samoa. Dept. Sci. and Industrial Res. Report made for Samoan Administration on New Zealand Reparation Estates, Sept. 1937. The original paper of Hamilton was not read by us, and it will be useful to find it.
  •  From the Solomon Island Joint Coconut Research Scheme, review of breeding programme 1971-1974: Samoan Tall and FMS (Federated Malayan States) said to be introduced in Solomon Island before the first world war (1912).
  •  Malayan Tall Coconuts were introduced in 1932 at Vailele plantation, 3 miles east by road from Apia, Upolu Island, (Anonymous, 1952). At least 315 palms from this introduction were obtained in second generation and planted again in 1952.
  • There is also 200 acres of coconut palm from Solomon islands (probably Rennell Island Tall) in the Westec plantation near the Airport.
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