The farmers and fishers of Siupapa and Saleapaga villages in the Lepa district hosted their Talomua event last Saturday with crops, livestock and fisheries products as well as fine mats and handcraft put on display.

The event was hosted at the Assembly of God church compound at Siupapa with farmers and fishers joining hands with the village women committee oversaw the display of handmade crafts.

The village mayor of Siupapa, Utaulu Konelio together with the other village matai, welcomed the guests with an ava ceremony together with a devotional service led by the AOG church minister, Pastor Kuresa.

The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, La’auli Leuatea Schmidt was the guest of honour and delivered the opening remarks to mark the occasion.

He acknowledged and thanked the organising committee and the villagers who contributed to the success of the event while encouraging village farmers and fishers to continue working together.

Emphasising the need for the villagers to focus on cultivating their fertile lands for their crop and livestock, La’auli said his Ministry will continue to support the Talomua and other events that would increase and sustain the community's food, nutrition and income security for the community's benefit. 

In support of the community, officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) advised that they will continue to support agricultural development in the community and therefore donated seeds and seedlings of vegetables, fruits and food trees as well as farming tools and equipment.

The Talomua event last Saturday hosted by the farmers and fishers of Siupapa and Saleapaga villages in the Lepa district is one of many over the last two months with the new Government abandoning the practice of Apia hosting twice-yearly agricultural shows to give the responsibility to individual villages in the districts. 

Minister La’auli has been main guest of honour at most of these events, though at various times other Cabinet Ministers also accompanied him to the villages.