There is a possibility that the disease that’s affecting taro in Samoa may also be affecting taro in the territory.
Local farmers tell KHJ News they see the same symptoms reported from Samoa happening here.
The taro root is attacked by ants from the inside in a circular form and it rots and is unfit for consumption.
KHJ News asked a senior employee at the Department of Agriculture if there’s been reports of the taro virus from local plantations.
The employee confirmed that local farmers have reported their taro crops being affected by a new disease and DOA is trying to collect evidence of the disease.
The DOA staffer said since last week they’ve sent out a team to collect information from affected farmers
But as of Friday they had not determined if it’s the same virus that has attacked taro crops in Samoa.
As a result of the taro virus, the Department of Agriculture has placed a ban on taro shipments from Samoa.
