On Saturday 21 January 2023, Anoama’a #1 district gathered at Lufilufi to showcase a variety of
agricultural produce including root crops, vegetables, fruits as well as livestock.
The Ulua’i Seleselega organizing committee representative, Magele Lene spoke on behalf of the
district to welcome and thank the government officials, villagers and farmers to the event,
followed by a devotional service led by Rev Falefa Mae’e of the Lufilufi Methodist Church.
The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Honourable Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao
Fosi Schmidt in his remarks thanked the farmers and villagers for hosting a successful event. He
also commended the great efforts of the Member of Parliament of Anoama’a #1, Alaiasa
Sepulona Moananu, in his leadership as well as supporting the government’s commitment to
strengthening grassroots communities through agriculture and fisheries.
He also emphasized on the importance of planting more crops, raising livestock and fisheries
activities to safeguard Samoa’s food, nutrition and income security, especially the control of
increasing number of our people with non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and increase of
import substitution and exports, that will be supported by the to-be-established Samoa Export
and Import Authority, which is currently work in progress. Member of Parliament Alaiasa in his
response, acknowledged the Hon Minister with his great initiative of promoting agriculture and
fisheries development in rural communities via Ulua’i Seleselega (First Harvest) events in
districts. He also acknowledged the Government’s $1 million Tala district development scheme
that will financially support his district’s agriculture and fisheries development aspirations.
The district received $10,000 tala worth of agricultural tools and equipment, seeds, seedlings of
various crops, and funds as part of the Ministry’s role in supporting the event.