S.C.B. breaks farming limitations

By Vatapuia Maiava and Ilia L. Likou 19 October 2016, 12:00AM

Many farmers in Samoa have grown accustomed to Monoculture (focusing on one crop) style of farming as a way of life.

 The only problem is, there are a lot of limitations in Samoa and no way to develop their business further. But with the introduction of Samoa Commercial Bank’s new small loan scheme, many farmers can now develop their business further.

For Momoe Tagaloa from the village of Magiagi, he is happy to be able to move forward with his pawpaw business.

“I am also very happy because I just heard that the bank (S.C.B.) has started a new programme which caters to farmers and low income earners,” he told the Village Voice.

“Me and my fellow famers now have an opportunity to develop our plantations further. I had so many plans to develop my pawpaw business but the only problem was that I couldn’t afford it.

“Now with this new scheme, myself and many other families in Samoa will have opportunities to step forward with their lives.”

Momoe said there is a lot of potential with pawpaw farming.

“For me, there is nothing hard with growing pawpaw, it’s very simple,” he said.

“Even though it has a pretty long waiting period before harvest but the money you can make from it if very good. That’s why I still rely on it till this day.”

With it being his family’s only source of income, it drives Momoe to work harder every day.

“To tell you the truth, these pawpaws are what I use to take care of my family,” he said.

“That’s why I have developed a very big pawpaw plantation at home. My family really needs the money so as the head of the family; I try my best to earn as much as I can from whatever means necessary.”

And because a lot of effort goes into Momoe’s pawpaw plantation, he is able to grow abnormally large pawpaw’s.

“When it comes to my pawpaws, I give it all of my effort,” he said.

“When I grow my pawpaw’s I make sure a lot of care goes into the process because the better they turn out, the more I can provide for my family.

“That’s why I am able to grow pawpaw as big as the ones I have here.”

Furthermore, Momoe explained how easy it is to plant and make money from pawpaws.

“I first mix fertilizer (manure) into the soil, once that’s done I dig up holes in the ground before I start planting the pawpaw seeds,” he said.

“It’s that simple. I have been doing this for over ten years now because it’s very good money. Once it’s harvest time I am able to make about $3,000 a week from the fruit.

“The reason I make so much is because I am given opportunities from different accommodations to deliver the pawpaws to them. I also deliver to markets to sell to people in Samoa.”

By Vatapuia Maiava and Ilia L. Likou 19 October 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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