Plantation is the only way out of money struggle

By Fetalai Tuilulu’u 16 April 2017, 12:00AM

For many villages at rural areas, farming is all they have.

The crops they grow are stretched to earn enough to build houses, buy cars and supply to all the family needs as well as cover obligations.

One can imagine that that is no easy task.

Fafo Ioapo, from the village of Sa’anapu, his taro plantation is all he has to earn money for his family.

“Farming taro is the only work we have available to us out here,” he told the Village voice 

“It’s the only way we can earn a bit of money for our families.” 

Working the land is what we rely on to not only take care of our families, but to also deal with obligations to the church and village.

“We also have (fa’alavelave) which is happens almost twice every month that we need to take care of.”

 “There is no other way for us to make money,” he said.

“If we didn’t have our plantation then we would struggle looking for a job to earn money for the family because there aren’t many jobs.”

“It’s uncommon to have anyone in this village employed; everyone has their own plantation to tend to.” 

“The only time we need money out here is when we need to build houses or buy a car.”

“We also need it for food and it’s hard to get all of that solely from a plantation.”

Aged 23 went on to say no job is better than staying home to work land and provide for the family. He said. 

 “The best way of making money is by working the plantation,” he said.

“Even our village committee has helped make life easier for the people here.” 

“They encourage the youth who drop out of school to have plantations and make sure they are at home caring for their families.”

“The village system here also helps bring everyone together and we have unity here in Sa’anapu.” 

 “That’s one thing I like about living out here.”

But even though he doesn’t have many options. He embraces the life in the village.

“Other than too far from the town, everything is all right out here,” he said.

“The water availability is all right and so is the electricity.” 

By Fetalai Tuilulu’u 16 April 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>