A double celebration was hosted by the village of Letogo on Friday 11 th June 2022. Ali’i and
Faipule of Letogo planned and organized their Talomua event in conjunction with their
celebration of the 60 th Anniversary of Samoa’s Indepndence.
Neighboring villagers and the general public gathered at Letogo to witness the Talomua and
Independence celebration. A variety of agricultural produce ranging from root and tree crops,
vegetables, fruits and livestock were all on display. Village women’s group performed
traditional dancing and other entertainment as part of the festivity. A display of fine mats and
handicrafts were also organized by the women’s group (Faletua ma Tausi, Sa’oao ma
Tamaita’i).
The National Anthem was sung by all as the Samoan flag was raised by the church minister of
the Letogo EFKS, Rev. Ulatifa Leuluaialii, to start off the Talomua program followed by a
devotional service and other formalities.
The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Honourable La’auliolemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao
Fosi Schmidt, Associate Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, along with the Member of
Parliament for Vaimauga No 1, Sulamanaia Tuivasa Tauiliili and the executive management of
the ministry attended the day’s festivities.
Hon. Minister delivered his remarks and words of encouragement to the village for hosting a
successful event. He acknowledged the participation of the Letogo and Samoa Primary Schools
and commended the support and the valuable efforts exerted by the women for the day’s event
and celebration.
He stated that the village of Letogo used to have well established facilities for processing goods
such as soap and milk. He then added that the Talomua will be an opportunity to encourage
farmers and fishers to actively participate in showcasing the fruits of their hard labour.
Moreover, he emphasized the importance of planting more crops to safeguard Samoa’s food
and nutrition security, especially the control of increasing number of our people with non-
communicable diseases (NCDs), and increase import substitution and exports (both fresh and
frozen products), and reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening grassroots
communities with a direct assistance approach to districts with the $1 million Tala development
fund.
The mayor of Letogo, Mr. Tufalevulevu Fa’apiano Pilimai assured that the village of Letogo
fully supported the initiative by the government for community developments. He also voiced
the village’s request for them to utilize government owned land in Letogo to further expand

their agricultural developments, and assistance with access roads for farming pruposes, school
buildings and water access/supply.
As part of the Ministry’s role in supporting village-led agriculture events, farming tools and
equipment as well as seeds and seedlings of various crops were provided for the village of
Letogo.