Governor stays out of taro stalemate

taro-root

Governor Lolo Moliga believes Samoa’s decision to stop taro exports to American Samoa hurts farmers there.

The governor has no plans to intervene in what seems to be a tit-for-tat between the leaders of the two departments of agriculture.

Lolo said Samoa can do whatever it wants with its taro but in his view Samoa’s temporary ban on taro experts to American Samoa hurts farmers there.

The governor said from what he’s seen of taro plantations in Samoa and talking to farmers, there’s a big gap between what middlemen are paying for taro from the farmers and how much they are selling the same taro to buyers in American Samoa.

He said the new arrangements worked out by the local Department of Agriculture in handling taro from Samoa was intended to address that.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele told media this week that one of the problems with the current stalemate over taro exports to American Samoa is the difference in the way the two governments handle matters.

He said that the taro issue is again with the Ministry of Agriculture to make contact with counterparts in the territory.

But he said there is a major difference between the two Samoa.

“When we have to make decisions it is very fast, but when it comes to Tutuila it takes a long time while we await their decision,” said Tuilaepa.

When asked about the latest on the taro situation, Agriculture Minister Lopao’o Nathaniel Mu’a says his Ministry and the Samoa Ministry of Foreign Affairs are “working on a counter proposal to American Samoa Department of Agriculture’s requirements”.

He assured taro exporters at their monthly meeting this week that government was “working to get matters resolved with our neighbors”.

Lopaoo said, “That means, small farmers, big farmers, exporters, our ministry as well because of its duty to quarantine/bio-security issues and anyone who has interest in the trade arrangements with our brothers and sisters in American Samoa.”

He added that part of this proposal is the need for the two Samoas to talk with each other.

“In the past, we were informed by our shipping company and the media that they have stopped our taro.”

He said it’s normal for any inter governmental relationship to maintain a speaking relationship.