Taro research to boost Pacific agribusiness

Australian research into taro could open new markets and create greater food security in the Pacific region, according to University of Queensland (UQ) and Pacific Agribusiness Research for Development Initiative (PARDI) research leader Shane Dullahide.

“With a rapidly growing world population, a stronger Pacific taro industry will equate to long-term capacity to feed people in the region and to keep ownership of crops and their associated industries in the Pacific region,” Dullahide said.

“Grower variety trials are now underway to determine which varieties have the best production capabilities and we envisage that ‘star’ performers from these trials will be identified quite rapidly as taro is a fast-growing crop.

“This research will enable [Pacific farmers] to have ready access to clean planting material so they can grow more taro for export to countries like New Zealand, USA and Australia where Pacific taro is in high demand.”

Trials are concentrating on a number of ‘elite’ varieties based on taste, resistance to blight disease, climate resilience and production capacity.

The varieties were identified from a large breeding program undertaken in 1995 under the AusAID Taro Genetic Resources Conservation and Utilisation project following a taro blight disease outbreak in Samoa in 1993.

The taro project will be complemented by PARDI retail research designed to help local industry determine how to meet the needs of local retailers and exporters.

The research is part of a partnership between the Government of Samoa, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), University of the South Pacific (USP), Samoan growers, industry groups and various government bodies across the Pacific.