The Samoan breadfruit variety ‘maafala’ will be distributed globally in an effort to help food security in vulnerable countries around the world.
It is part of a partnership project that has been running for over ten years between the Samoan government and the Hawaii National Botanical Gardens where 120 varieties of breadfruit were tested over time.
In Apia last week, Dr Diane Ragone who is in charge of the project said that the Samoan ma’afala emerged as the number one variety with its high nutritional value.
She also presented US$12,240 to the Samoan Government as part of the royalities from the project.
The partnership project started in 2003 and an agreement between the Samoan government and the National Botanical Gardens was signed by Samoas Prime Minister in 2008.
Dr. Ragone said that seedlings of the Samoan ma’afala breadfruit will be distributed in 27 countries around the world.
APIA, (TALAMUA ONBLINE)
