The village of Savaia, Lefaga hosted their Talomua and Market Day on Friday, 18 th  March
2022. Members of the public around the southern part of Upolu gathered to witness the event
and purchase agriculture and fisheries goods on display, including giant clams from the
village's giant clam sanctuary.

It has been 20 years since Savaia, Lefaga has initiated and celebrated its Talomua program. It
was only cancelled in 2012 due to Cyclone Evan, 2019 due to the Measles Outbreak and last
year due to COVID19, according to the Chairman of the Savaia Talomua Organizing
Committee, Tusani Iosefatu Reti.  He also relayed their request for assistance from the
government for the control of the wild pig population that continues to devastate their crops,
and improvement with their access roads to their inland farming lands.
The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Honourable La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao
Fosi Schmidt, congratulated the committee and villagers for a well-prepared event, and
encouraged them to stay strong and continue to celebrate their village Talomua initiative for
years to come. This is an indication of a long term commitment that will surely benefit the
current and future generations of the Savaia community.
Honourable La'aulialemalietoa also remarked about the Ministry and Government's initiatives
and plans to increase our food and nutrition security, import substitution and exports via the
establishment of a national Export and Import Authority, for the long term desired benefits for
our smallholder farmers.  He also mentioned that Cabinet has accepted his Ministry's
recommendation to replace the annual national agriculture and fisheries shows with traditional
district Talomua events, so that the districts have ownership and control of their Talomua, and
all farmers within a district will have the opportunity to participate.  The Ministry's role will be
to provide technical and financial support and encourage our exporters to attend the events and
negotiate supply arrangements with the farmers displaying their agricultural produce, such as
root and tuber crops, cocoa, etc., for export markets.