American Samoa's acting Governor, Fepuleai Afa Ripley, says locals must return to the sea and land as places to source the types of foods that has fed Samoans for generations.
Speaking at a Food Security meeting, Fepuleai, who is Attorney General, says the Territory has limited land resources, a rising population, and is facing increased food costs.
He says the prevalence of illnesses caused by the food locals eat and the lifestyles people live, present good reason for residents to become more self sufficient in food production.
He says the territory's reliance on food imports makes it vulnerable to global market forces as was witnessed during the rice shortage of last year.
Fepuleai says education and raising awareness was an important step to addressing the challenges of food security.
"Through this partnership, the government intends to educate our young residents through programmes and schools and college that teach the importance of subsistence farming, and of being able to grow and produce as well as catch your own food."
