Tafua village farmers celebrate Talomua
The village of Tafua in Savai'i was a scene of celebration on Thursday.
The occasion was the village's Talomua (first fruits celebration) where men, women and youth farmers from the village 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.
According to the high chief, Ulu Iakopo, 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 Tafua.
Ulu 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.
Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, congratulated the village for hosting a successful event and reminded the villagers to fully utilise the numerous blessings we have in our lands and environment, and most importantly through our people.
Fiame also acknowledged the innovative 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 Talomua events within their own villages or districts.
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi highlighted the importance of these kinds of communal agricultural developmental activities and their contribution to any village's food security systems. He also encouraged the villagers to invest in raising livestock including chicken, pigs, cattle and sheep.
The Minister emphasized the government plans to increase villages' 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 will be to provide technical and facilitate financial support, and encourage Samoa's 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 pack house 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.