The farmers that participated in the First International Farm Fair were American Samoan, Samoan and Tongan. There were no Asian farmers at all.
Since the majority of the produce being sold at supermarkets, roadside stalls and village stores are grown by Asian farmers, KHJ News asked the Director of Agriculture Solia Mutini if Asian farmers were included.
Director of Agriculture Solia Mutini replied that no Asian farmers participated.
In a phone interview, he said that no farmers of Asian descent signed up for the Farm Fair…they didn’t want to have stalls and stay the duration of the fair.
The director added that he did authorize the Tongan market at Tafuna to have a booth at the International Farm Fair. However, several Asian-owned restaurants were selling all sorts of cuisine at the food stalls.
