The ban on taro from Samoa remains in place while the Department of Agriculture awaits information from counterparts in Apia on the virus affecting taro crops across the water.
Director of Agriculture Filifa’atali Mike Fuiava says he hasn’t received any word from Samoa’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries on the results of tests which were conducted in Germany.
He said he will contact Samoa to find out the test results, and will provide an update once they receive information from Samoa.
Filifaatali imposed the ban the week before last, pending test results to determine the taro disease which is causing mature taro to be deformed and inedible.
For the interim, most local stores and restaurants which used to get their taro from Samoa, are being supplied by local farmers, according to the Director of Agriculture.
However, one of the oldest stores on the western side of the island which has been getting taro from Apia have not sold taro since the ban was imposed.
According to a staffer, none of the local farmers they’ve talked with can assure a consistent supply.
She said taro farmers trying to sell taro to them, could not meet the quantities needed.
The store representative says their concern is that local farmers wont be able to supply them consistently.
Taro farmers have a different story to tell.
They say local stores and vendors want them to sell their taro at the same price that they pay for taro from Samoa.
According to the farmers who spoke with KHJ News, Samoa taro is sold to stores and vendors for 80 cents- $1 per pound, which they feel is too low considering that taro retails at $2.65 to $2.85 per pound.
“These business people need to be mindful of the time, energy and money we put into planting taro,” said one farmer.
“Just like them wanting to make good money, our plantations are our businesses.”
Since the ban on taro from Samoa, some store owners have been seen buying taro at the Fagatogo marketplace.
Farmers who were selling at the market yesterday said they prefer selling their produce at the marketplace rather than dealing with store owners.
