Taro, Colocasia esculenta, is a root crop that is one of the staple crops in some countries in Asia Pacific
region. Asia and the Pacific Islands are the centre of origin of taro diversity. In the midst of climate
uncertainties and demand for alternative / future crops to fulfil nutritional needs and improve food security,
taro which was one of the world’s most widely cultivated crops in the last two centuries may become a solution.
© MARDI
Taro can potentially be grown in a number of marginal soils which are not conducive for other major food
crops, such as rice – thus enabling the strategic use of limited land resources. It can also be cultivated
under variable climatic conditions.
Indonesia, Philippines and Fiji have been actively involved in the conservation and utilization of taro
and have made remarkable advancement in their research and development of taro. Malaysia which is still
at the early stage of promoting taro as an important crop to be cultivated by smallholder farmers could
gain valuable knowledge from other countries on the newest and latest advancements and technologies in
producing taro.
The project, which will span a period of 36 months across two major geographical regions (Southeast
Asia and the South Pacific), will focus on strengthening and sustaining on-farm and community level
conservation, utilization and management of taro genetic resources.
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These R&D efforts will be underpinned by the sharing of information and experiences between other taro
producing regional project partners.
© MARDI
The following are the project outcomes, targets and related activities:
- Outcome 1:
Farmers supported to maintain and conserve agrobiodiversity in areas vulnerable to
climate change and food security
- Outcome 2:
Research and development is strengthened in project country’s members to produce climate
ready on taro
- Outcome 3:
Treaty implementation within the project is strengthened for sustainability
- Outcome 4:
Enhanced equity and inclusion in the implementation of the programme
- Outcome 5:
Establishment of strong consortia of Treaty stakeholders within partner countries
