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The business and challenges of taro farming in Samoa

[photo from Peter Tulaga Eliesa's Facebook page]

Apia, SAMOA — Revenue from Agriculture makes up only seven percent of Samoa’s Gross Domestic product with taro being a major export. 

Efforts have been made to assist farmers of our major export crops such as cocoa, coconut and taro but there are some challenges that are out of the control of local farmers.

Samoa’s largest commercial taro farmer, Peter Tulaga Eliesa, told the Samoa Observer about the struggles farmers in his industry face and his perspective on how they can improve their situation. 

New viruses that attack taro crops are one of the most frustrating problems for farmers at the primary level. 

Asked why there were so many different types of viruses occurring, Eliesa said quite simply: “Climate change.”

 “The new virus is called B.L.T. and that one is getting tougher and people are giving up on farming,” said Mr. Eliesa.

According to Mr. Eliesa, climate change is affecting the severity and over occurrence of these devastating viruses that kill taros as well dreams. 

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries are currently working with Eliesa to test another new variety called “Cycle 9”, which is going through a cross pollinating process. 

With every new string of virus that kill our taro crops, the Government works to produce another taro breed that will reject all the viruses and help find the best one for Samoa in the current climate.

“We do taro breeding in Samoa. Only Samoa can do taro breeding, at the moment I got five new ones right now.”

Aside from working on his 100-acre taro farm, Eliesa never stops learning in fact some of his recommendations to those who are thinking of dabbling in taro farming involve making a serious commitment to the job.

“Farming is not a hobby it’s for a life time. You have to give everything to it. So I had to do my homework, I had to study and be smart about everything. It has to be precise.

Read more at Samoa Observer