‘Pacific’s Potential Scarcely Scratched’

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31042, 23 April 1966, Page 16

‘Pacific’s Potential Scarcely Scratched’

(New Zealand Preet Association)

WELLINGTON, April 22.

The South Pacific region lived or died bv its agriculture, but its potential had not even been scratched, the principal of the South Pacific Regional College of tropical agriculture at Western Samoa (Dr, P. Radford) said today.

Much of the land was not being cultivated as it should or was not being cultivated at all. said Dr. Radford.

Government, the Freedom from Hunger campaign and the Food and Agricultural Organisation. It had accommodation for 72 pupils for a three-year course and began this year with 22 pupils. The course this year was mainly scientific, while the second year would deal with applied science and the third with agricultural work. The agricultural needs of the region could absorb every pupil leaving the college, he said.

One very promising field was in the growth and sale of small, easily-transported products which would fetch high prices, he said. Amongst these were pepper, passion fruit, and vanilla.

Dr. Radford said the South Pacific College was opened about 18 months ago with money from the New Zealand

The major problem at the moment is the shortage of basic laboratory equipment. Dr. Radford is in New Zealand to meet Freedom from Hunger campaign and Government representatives.