With the Samoa Commercial Bank (S.C.B.) releasing their new loan scheme aimed at helping struggling families and farmers, many are rejoicing at the opportunity.

The loan scheme will allow family’s who normally couldn’t get a loan due to low or non-existing income being generated. It will go towards helping many people develop their crop businesses as well as their living standards.

One farmer in particular, Siaosi Tuitama, from the village of Faleasiu, is extremely happy with this great new scheme.

Aged 64, he admits that he has a large chunk of land but without any developing money, it’s useless to him.

“All I know is that I am so very grateful to the S.C.B. for what they are trying to do for us farmers,” he told the Village Voice.

“Their initiative will definitely help us who struggle to make ends meet through the plantations we tend every day of our lives.”

“To tell you the truth, I have a lot of land but there isn’t much I can do on it. I can’t grow many crops because we don’t have much money to do so.”

“The produce I have here in front of me is all I can afford to grow at times. From all the land I have, this is all the crops I get because most of the time, the soil doesn’t have good enough quality.”

Siaosi explained that money is needed for fertilizer to make the most of the land he has.

“If you are wondering why we need money, it’s because we need to purchase fertilizer for the soil,” he said.

“When we do get money then it goes straight to things of top priority; Things like taking care of the family needs every day.”

“If you think of the cost of fertilizers these days, it costs two days worth of work with the money we are making. The way I see things, it’s not worth it.”

And with the new initiative by S.C.B. much can now be done for Siaosi’s career as a farmer.

“The problems I have mentioned are why I am so grateful to the new initiative by the S.C.B,” he said.

“The scheme they have come up with will in many ways help our farmers and those families who are really struggling here in Samoa.” “I know for sure that when I finally get the chance to apply for the loan scheme then it will definitely help me move closer to my dream.”

The loan scheme will also help make Siaosi’s peanut farming dream come true.

“My dream will come true thanks to the S.C.B,” he said

“I have always wanted to have a peanut plantation which will make great use of my plantation land at Faleasi’u.”

“With that peanut plantation, I will be able to make so much money to help develop my family more. That’s the sort of help this bank is providing us struggling farmers.”