Where does the best Fiji taro root come from?

Best Fiji taro root? That's the question we've been asked a lot. You see of the fifteen provinces in Fiji, each considers the supremacy of their taro above all else.

Yet when you do experience a pot of glistening ready-cooked taro - whereever it is from Fiji-wide - you'll then understand the pride each province has for their favorite root crop.

From the islands of Kadavu in the south, to Rotuma in the north, from the Mamanucas in the west to Ono-i-Lau in the east - and the islands in between - good quality taro farming is a daily family ritual; part of the subsistence economy.

With the advent of the market system this ritual was extended to also encompass the cash economy, for without a national welfare system citizens had to fend for themselves.

Farmers thus diligently raised their taro acreages eager to make an honorable and worthwhile living. Currently there is a resurgence in taro root farming to accomodate the growing demands of migratory Fiji labour and new markets.

A typical taro farmer thus has upwards of 10,000 plants in the ground at any time. Seasoned veterans average growing multiples of this figure.

Considering each family needs 5,000 taro plants annually for their use, a considerable volume is thus available for the cash economy. Indeed, with the earnest farming of taro root comes the problem of getting them to market.

Herein lies the major problem the scattered isles pose. You see while roads exist on most islands, some have none at all and travel is either on horseback or punts with 40-horsepower outboards.

While the former is cheap, the constraint therein lies with the transportable volume. Having a stable of horses would help, but this is very rare indeed.

Punts on the other hand allow a greater volume to be carried but the punt hire charges prohibit the mass adoption of this mode on an individual basis. Something to do with economies of scale...

Tales abound of farmers returning home from the urban markets with no net cash gains, as high-priced transportation and unsold produce lay claim to their hoped-for gains.

The solution if any has to utilize good economies of scale, and that is what we hope to achieve here.

By working with farmers, the Ministry of Agriculture and other stakeholders we plan to improve scheduling and achieve good economies.

Get the care on our taro root.

Go to Top of Page.

Contact us now for Taro.

Buy Kava Now.