Hundreds of Upolu farmers gathered at the Tu’utu’ulileloloto Hall in Apia to benefit from the Serendi Coco Premium Fund this week. 

They benefited from tools purchased for coconut plantations in both Upolu and Savai'i, including 830 wheelbarrows, 830 machetes and 830 knife filers.

Human Resource Administration Manager and President of the Development Fund Committee, Falenaoti Sally Grevel-Lameko, said the project is the realisation of a dream by Director, Taimālieutu Charlie Westerlund, and Fānene Sāmau Etuale Sefo, the Chief Executive Officer, to assist local farmers.

She also acknowledged Dr Bronner's, their partner Company in the U.S.A as well as the Committee for development and management and staff of the Serendi Coco Samoa.

" The total cost of the tools came to 191,700 SAT," she added.

Falenaoti also made reference to how many of each will be given to the farmers of Upolu whom are also still the top producers of popo, young coconut, for the company. 

" So 380 wheel-barrels, 380 machetes, and 380 knife filers, will go to the Upolu farmers who still top the production of popo in the country, and I congratulate you for that achievement," she said. 

 " The project was funded by the Serendi Coco Samoa Development Fund. The fund is from the coconut oil being manufactured and sold in America and the Dr Bonner's ( partner company) returns a percentage of the income made for the development of the people, villages and organizations we are partnering with via the popo, coconut," she said.  

Falenaoti said the company's vision is to replant a lot of coconuts for future generations. 

" This company envisions the goal of revitalising coconut planting for future generations. So a challenge from the Serendi Coco Samoa for its Upolu partners is to win the collection of popo this year because when there is more popo, coconut, means more oil to be sold overseas, and that means more blessings and bounties for our people," she said.

Falenaoti told Samoa Observer that the Committee steering the fund for development, which she is a chair of, is planning several projects for the coming months. 

" We have a lot of projects happening, and we are also very much pressing for the importance of planting more coconuts on both islands," she said. 

Lemoa Francis from Aleipata told Samoa Observer that he was at the event to get his wheelbarrow and was excited for the useful gift. 

" It is such an encouraging thing to be rewarded for the hard work. I grew up with the popo and I am still working in our plantation and carrying popo every time to make money or to make food," he said. 

" This is a great avenue to help our families, and I am glad to be a recipient of it," he said. 

Leota Faletoese told Samoa Observer that she and her husband had the most farmers in the group of farmers winning tools from the company. 

"We have 70 farmers and they are all getting tools from the assistance here," she said. 

" We like to help our farmers and so we also love that the Serendi Coco Samoa is helping them through this initiative," she said.