On Saturday morning 7 th May 2022 before Mother's Day, the Island Farmers and Fishers
Association from the village of Saanapu, Safata hosted their Talomua at the Fugalei market.
The event was timely as the public were busy shopping for Mother’s Day. According to Mr.
Taelega Toma, the secretary of the Association, they have been planning for this event four
months ago. The president, Mr. Leaana La who spoke on behalf of the Association thanked the
Government for supporting their Talomua.
The Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao
Fosi Schmidt in his remarks, thanked and congratulated the association for hosting a successful
event. He encouraged the farmers and fishers to prioritize development for the benefit of their
families and communities. He also stressed the importance of investing in agriculture and
fisheries in order to sustain income, food and nutrition security.
At the moment, there are more than twenty communities and districts who have scheduled to
host their Talomua events from now until June 2022. The Hon. Minister highlighted the
Government’s planned District Development Funding Scheme which will be effective in the
next financial year (2022-2023). This Scheme will further assist the development of our farmers
and fishers at the grassroots level of each community.
The Ministry assisted through the provision of coconut seedlings and fruit trees, packets of
vegetable seeds as well as some farming tools and equipment for the farmers and fishers of the
Island Farmers and Fishers Association.