AUSTRALIA’S Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, has reaffirmed her country’s support for sustainable agriculture in the region, with additional funding of up to $A250,000 ($F393,936) for the Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees (CePaCT) yesterday.
During her visit, Ms Fierravanti-Wells saw how the CePaCT helped to conserve the region’s plant genetic resources, improving plant diversity and strengthening food security in the Pacific.
Pacific Community (SPC) deputy director-general Dr Audrey Aumua said it was an excellent opportunity to showcase the outcomes of the partnership.
CePaCT is the Pacific’s only internationally recognised gene bank, housing more than 2000 plant tissue cultures, including the largest collection of taro varieties globally.
The centre was established in 1998 with support from the Australian Government through the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and the European Union.
“Australia is both founding member and a valuable development partner of SPC. SPC is delighted to be able to host Ms Fierravanti-Wells at CePaCT to showcase the successful outcomes of this important partnership, which is particularly timely because SPC celebrates its 70th Anniversary this year,” Dr Aumua said.
“Agricultural research remains a key priority for SPC and ACIAR continues to play a vital role in supporting these efforts.”
The visit reflects Australia’s commitment to sustainable development in the Pacific, through supporting CePaCT’s work in addressing vulnerabilities of Pacific communities and supporting their development aspirations.
While CePaCT is the lead gene bank on taro collection globally, it maintains more than a dozen culturally and economically important food crops including banana, breadfruit, cassava, sweet potato and yam.
The centre’s important role in the research has contributed to more than 70,000 tissue culture derived plantlets distributed to 51 countries, including 22 Pacific Island countries and territories.
CePaCT has distributed more than 200 tissue culture breadfruit seedlings to Ministry of Primary Industries Department of Agriculture.
