Fiji’s Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways (MOAW) recently announced the release of a new sweet potato variety praised for its water-use efficiency characteristics. This kumala crop, renamed vanuavatu, was distributed by the Pacific Community’s (SPC) Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees (CePaCT) to the Ministry of Agriculture several years ago and was released on June 20, 2024. CePaCT, the Pacific's primary regional genebank, collaborates with Pacific countries and territories and key partners to advance the conservation, development, and utilisation of plant genetic resources. CePaCT supports essential food and nutrition security and resilience-building outcomes across the region by seed-strengthening systems and planting material supply networks.
Introducing the resilient sweet potato variety: Vanuavatu
At the release ceremony held in June at the Koronivia Research Station, the Agriculture & Waterways Minister, Honourable Vatimi Rayalu, named the new sweet potato variety vanuavatu after his hometown. Although sweet potatoes, in general, are known to have originated in Central and South America, this variety is originally from Burundi. CePaCT sourced this variety from the International Potato Center (CIP) in Peru to diversify Pacific crops and meet food security goals, especially in the face of climate change. Known for its adaptability, high-yield potential, drought tolerance, and nutritional value—particularly its beta-carotene, starch, and iron levels—the variety symbolises resilience.
“The name vanuavatu, derived from 'vanua' meaning land and 'vatu' meaning rock, symbolises resilience. "The rocky island of Vanua Vatu in Fiji, where people have thrived for centuries, mirrors the drought tolerance and resilience of this sweet potato variety,” the Honourable Vatimi said.
Global collaboration and the International Plant Treaty
CePaCT’s collaboration with the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) including CIP, has been instrumental in accessing new and improved crop diversity that is important for the Pacific. CePaCT's efforts in conserving and distributing Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA) complement CGIAR's mission to develop resilient, high-yield varieties that enhance food and nutrition security worldwide. Central to this collaboration are key partnerships with the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (the International Plant Treaty) and the Global Crop Diversity Trust. These partnerships facilitate CePaCT’s access to vital plant varieties in international genebanks and support the long-term conservation and availability of crop diversity, ensuring food security through the work of genebanks at all levels. This synergy underpins the global agricultural system’s resilience and capacity to innovate, adapt, and thrive in the face of emerging challenges.
Programme Leader for the Genetic Resources programme under SPC’s Land Resources Division (LRD), Logotonu Meleisea Waqainabete, said, "Genebanks play an essential role in preserving the biodiversity that underpins our food systems. At CePaCT, we strive to address the priorities of our Pacific countries by providing access to important crop diversity. Our work, supported by collaborative efforts from members like Fiji, ensures these resources are conserved and utilised effectively to meet food security goals and enhance the resilience of food production systems in the face of climate change."
Understanding the value of crop diversity
MOAW also published a comprehensive Cassava characteristic booklet, a guide to all known cassava varieties in Fiji. Minister Rayalu highlighted the importance of knowing crop varieties, and the guide as a critical tool for all users, especially farmers, in better understanding each variety’s characteristics to determine its optimum growing time and conditions to ensure maximum returns. CePaCT warmly welcomes this effort from MOAW as it comes as a reminder to all countries of the importance of ‘knowing’ their varieties.
Director of Research and Agriculture Scientific Services at MOAW, Dr Shalendra Prasad, said, "The introduction of the vanuavatu variety demonstrates our Ministry’s commitment to supporting our farmers in ensuring food security amid a changing climate. This variety’s release follows years of rigorous research trials by our team to ensure its suitability and robustness for our environment. It underscores our collaboration with CePaCT and the importance of accessing the global pool of PGRFA hosted by other genebanks. As a member of the International Plant Treaty, Fiji benefits from this treaty, as shown by this variety release. This new variety will significantly bolster our food security and agricultural resilience."
CePaCT’s contributions through distributing the vanuavatu sweet potato variety and other crops underscore its critical role in enhancing food security and promoting sustainable agriculture in the Pacific. By working collaboratively with all relevant global, regional, and national partners, CePaCT ensures the Pacific remains a vital player in securing future food sources and combating climate change.