Tafua village farmers display first harvest in its Talomua

Staff Reporters

APIA, SAMOA – 06 MAY 2022: The village of Tafua, Savaii hosted their Talomua yesterday Thursday 5^th May 2022. The village farmers showcased a variety of agricultural produce including root and tree crops, vegetables and fruits, as well as a display of beautifully woven fine mats and other handicrafts by the village women.

The event was organized and coordinated by the village Talomua committee and high chief Ulu Iakopo says all the agricultural produce displayed were grown and harvested from farms within the village. Ulu also stated that the whole Tafua village have been organically certified.

In organising their Talomua event, they imposed a fine of $1,000 if a village member sourced agriculture produce for display from outside the village.

The Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa, congratulated the village for hosting a successful event and reminded the villagers “to fully utilize the numerous blessings we have in our lands and environment, and most importantly through our people.”

The Prime Minister acknowledged the initiative by the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Ministry in replacing the annual agriculture show with village and district Talomua events. This way, more farmers and fisheries around Samoa will have the opportunity to participate in the event within their own villages or districts.

Part of the display of agricultural products by the Tafua village farmers.

The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi stressed the importance of these events and their contribution to village and country’s food security systems and encouraged the villagers to invest in raising livestock including chicken, pigs, cattle and sheep.

The Minister elaborated on the Ministry and Government’s initiatives and plans to increase the country’s food and nutrition security, import substitution and exports, plus the establishment of a national Export and Import Authority for the benefit of the agriculture and fisheries sector.

The Ministry’s role is to provide technical assistance and facilitate financial support, and encourage the exporters to attend the events and negotiate supply arrangements with the farmers displaying their agricultural produce for exports. He also stated that the works to establish a packing house for exporters in Savai’i will start soon.

The Ministry provided five hundred seedlings of coconut, vegetables and fruit trees, packets of vegetable seeds as well as some farming tools and equipment for the farmers of Tafua.

Ulu Iakopo, on behalf of the village requested the government for assistance in providing street lights for the village roads as well as water tanks for their village school.

The chiefs and orators of Tafua village.