The Ministry of Agriculture is holding a Yam Day today to highlight yam cultivation and its importance to Fiji’s food security and export market.
The Ministry’s senior research officer (Agronomy) Savenaca Cuquma said yam has not been given its rightful priority like cassava, dalo, ginger and vegetables and that there is a need to showcase yams right across the country to ensure that its value is not lost.
In addition, to food security, Mr Cuquma said that yams also play a role in nutrition and climate change adaptations due to longer shelf life and value adding.
“It is important for our farmers to understand the significance of this crop for its high nutrition value which can substitute potatoes in local dishes.
“Yam planting has been held in high regard as it can adapt to temperate conditions. It is the fourth most important root and tuber crop in the world lagging behind potato, cassava and sweet potatoes,’’ Mr Cuquma said.
He added that the Ministry’s Crop Extension Unit officers will benefit as a source of transferring technologies in enabling them to understand the diversity of yams that we have in Fiji.
“Processors and private sectors will have the chance of looking at some value adding potential and how they can do this in a bigger way.”
Mr Cuquma said the Ministry’s Koronivia Research Station plays an important role in identifying the yam varieties that can be substituted identify varieties for export markets and for value adding potentials. This will be displayed tomorrow.
“For example, purple flesh colour yams in the Filipinos, Korea, some East African countries and Japan are used for ice – cream.”
Yam Day is held annually and the Ministry anticipates a bigger event next year with a farmer’s yam competition, staff competition, participation of stakeholders and more value addition potentials with the participation of women and youth groups.
-ENDS-