Martha Taumata Faavae
The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Lopao’o Natanielu Mu’a is assured by the confidence in his ministry that Samoa will not face any food shortage in the near future.
He personally agreed with the outlook by the ministry.
“ As minister, I do not foresee any food shortage in the near future because of the abundance that we have.
“If the Ministry believes there will be problems in the future, there will be no food shortage,” Lopao’o told Newsline.
He is, however, worried that there will be problems if the farmers are discouraged by the troubling influence of climate change.
Lopao’o said that the people must be encourged to prepare well and not to be easily discouraged.
He said hard work must continue to ensure there will be food for the family everyday. Also people must not depend on food from overseas.
The Minister believes that the programmes and the push by the ministry to encourage people to get stuck into farming the land despite climate change will avoid any problems with food security for Samoa.
The abundance Samoa enjoys is evident everywhere Lopao’o said.
“ Thank God no one goes hungry in Samoa. Today there are so many small market stalls in front of family homes and shops the prices for farm produce are affordable.
“ Since I’ve been Minister of Agriculture I have seen so many developments and changes in the crops grown in Samoa and locally produced food.
“ As Minister of Agriculture it makes me very happy because despite the COVID-19 pandemic on Samoa’s economy there is no shortage of food in the country.”
Lopao’o pointed out that the abundance enjoyed today stretches all the way back to the Pacific Games