The number of taro containers exported for the past month has more than doubled.That’s according to an official at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fa’avaeolenu’u Tamoe Tautu.“Compared to last February, there were only two containers of taro that was sent overseas. Last month the outcome was really good,” he said.“There were four and a half containers for March.”But the good news means the Ministry needs to ensure the quality of the exported taro is the best.That’s why the Ministry is continuing to limit the varieties of taro being exported due to risks.“There are only two varieties of taro that the Ministry has approved for exporting to overseas markets and we are still working on others.”“The two varieties of taro that are good to export are called Samoa 01 and Samoa 02.”There are over 300 farmers from all over Samoa registered to export taro.Farmers get $38 tala for 20 kilos, averaging at twelve to sixteen taros.“The process takes a lot of time and what is very important is the shelf life of the taro,” said Fa’avae.“That is whether the taro can still be used after two to three weeks and the ministry is urging other farmers to bring in their taro so that we can investigate whether they are giving the right varieties.”Although all varieties of taro are cleared for export, according to a New Zealand official earlier this year, Fa’avae said that only some are proven to last the distance.