Letogo Village Came Together to Celebrate their Talomua and the60th Anniversary of Samoa’s Independence
A double celebration was hosted by the village of Letogo on Friday 11th June 2022. Ali’i and Faipule of Letogo planned and organized their Talomua event in conjunction with their celebration of the 60th 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.
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