Samoa taro

American Samoa goes from short supply of taro to flooded market

A ban on taro exports from neighbouring Samoa was lifted last month.

Director, Filifaatali Mike Fuiava, says he hopes to meet with taro importers to get their input on quantities that should be allowed in weekly.

But he says efforts to convene a meeting have not been successful yet.

The director says he may have to set a quota for each importer to avoid a saturation of the taro market.

But consumers appear to have welcomed the lifting of the ban as major supermarkets now have a good supply of taro.

Taro fries and taro whisky soon to hit Samoa's local market

Some may say that taro fries is nothing new, but Talamua Online says it will be something new on the local market once the Scientific Research Organisation completes its research work.

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Lopao’o Natanielu Mua, says members of government have tasted taro fries samples and it does taste good.

SROS is also working on another taro product, taro whisky.

Taro is being fermented to produce the alcohol and Lopao'o says the Ministry will be looking for stakeholders interested in promoting and selling taro whisky.

     

Potential hurdle for Samoa taro crop recovery

But farmers are being assured they have nothing to worry about.

RNZI reports a ban has been put on the transporting of taro shoots from Upolu to Savai'i while the crop division of the Ministry of Agriculture investigates plantations affected at Falealili and Safata Districts on Upolu.

A senior taro breeding officer of the Pacific Community based in Samoa, Tolo Iosefa, said samples of the virus have been sent to Germany for testing.

But he said he didn't believe it would have a negative impact on the industry.

Tags: