Farmers, students, and researchers will now be able to take advantage of the Ministry of Agriculture’s newly launched Cassava Characteristic Booklet 2024 Version 1.0.
The booklet was compiled by the ministry’s crop research division and was launched by Agriculture Minister Vatimi Rayalu at the Koronivia Research Station on Thursday.
“The cassava characteristic booklet has been produced to assist farmers, students, extensions of the industry in correctly identifying the different cassava varieties. It will serve as crucial information, empowering users to make informed decisions and safeguarding the future of cassava production,” Mr Rayalu said.
“Researchers too will benefit greatly from this booklet in their future breeding activities.”
Mr Rayalu thanked the team behind the successful compilation and launching.
“Your meticulous work in documenting the characteristics of the 33 cassava varieties in our research plant on genetic resource fields across Fiji is commendable and crucial for the future of our agricultural research and practice.
“Agriculture is more than an industry envision. It is the heartbeat of our communities, the backbone of our economy, and the foundation of our sustenance as we navigate challenges such as the negative impacts of climate change, soil degradation and increasing agri input costs, the necessity for innovative and resilient crop variety becomes ever more pressing.”
The booklet lists the descriptive characteristics of the 33 cassava varieties we have in Fiji, including its leaf colour, leaf shape, root shape, number of leaf lobe, stem cortex colour, colour of flesh, root shape and other identifiable characteristics of the different varieties.
