Samoa celebrates World Food Day with the food producers

APIA, SAMOA – 26 OCTOBER 2022: For the very first time, Samoa celebrated this year’s World Food Day on 25 October 2022 at the Salelologa Market, Savaii to be among the farmers and fishers and the producers of food. A move that was warmly praised by Joseph Nyemah of the FAO Subregional Office who delivered the FAO World Food Day message on the theme “Leave no one Behind”.

Globally, the commemoration of the World Food Day falls on the 16^th October annually, for this year, Samoa’s celebration led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in close collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) was scheduled on the 25^th October 2022.

Farmers and Fishers, Diplomatic Corps, the Private Sector, NGOs as well as the general public from around the island came to witness the celebration and view the various displays by local farmers, fishers and the business community that showcased their products and services at the event site.

As part of the World Food Day celebration, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries officially launched 3 items;

1. The rebranding of the two Ta’amu varieties to be in-line with our export slogan “Buy Samoa Made”. The Ta’amu Toga has been renamed Ta’amu Samoa and Ta’amu Niu Kini now called Ta’amu Salafai.

2. Samoa Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy 2022-2032

3. Citrus Export Plan.

Mr. Joseph Nyemah, FAO Subregional Office representative delivering the FAO World Food Day message.

The celebration started with a devotional service led by Rev. Poule’a Tonise of Sapulu, Salelologa Methodist Church who offered words of encouragement to all the farmers and fishers, followed by the keynote address by Honourable Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt, and followed by the FAO World Food Day message delivered by Mr. Joseph Nyemah, FAO Subregional Office representative.

Laaulialemalietoa acknowledged the valuable collaboration between the Government and the FAO Subregional Office with its numerous agriculture and fisheries sector stakeholders in promoting food, nutrition and income security. He also acknowledged with thanks the presence of all those who have attended in celebrating the World Food Day in Savaii.

The Minister encouraged the people of Samoa to take ownership of their agriculture and fisheries developments as the only sure response for Samoa as an isolated island to ensure food security, economic sustenance against rising costs of freight on imported food commodities and in the face of future pandemics and the impact of climate change.