Fiji works on new variety of dalo

Fiji is now working on a new variety of dalo which will be resistant to taro leaf blight disease.

Taro leaf blight is a major disease of dalo caused by a water mould, and currently possesses a major threat to the dalo industry in Fiji.

Principal Research Officer Savenaca Cuquma says Fiji is free from taro leaf blight at the moment and necessary actions must be taken to prevent it from decimating the dalo industry.

Cuquma adds that all varieties of dalo cultivated in Fiji are susceptible to this disease but if necessary actions are not taken, it can destroy the whole dalo industry. 

He says that for this reason, the Ministry started on the project of developing disease resistant varieties in order to protect the industry.

This project is being carried out at the Koronivia Research Station.