New Taro Named After Samoan Minister of Agriculture

Written by Sue Fale
Thursday, 09 October 2008
Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Taua Kitiona (right) Research Centre staff handing out samples of new varieties One of three new taro varieties/cultivars researched by the Crops Division of the Nu’u Research Centre of the Ministry of Agriculture, and made available for the use of the farming community, is named after the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Taua Kitiona. The Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and almost all the Cabinet Ministers attended the public presentation of the new taroes at the research centre yesterday. Talo Taua is one of the three best varieties the researchers were able to come up with, that is resistant to the taro plight and maybe closer to the taste of the Talo Niue before it was wiped out. The other varieties are Talo So’o , named after the research consultant, Sooalo A Peters and Talo Tonu for Senior Officer Ricky Faatonu. The new varieties are the product of several years of on going tests and trials by the research centre, working closely with the University of the South Pacific School of Agriculture at Alafua. More than a thousand taro shoots of the new varieties were gifted to everyone at the launching, from the Prime Minister down to the eager farmers. The public presentation also included the launching of 7 new tomatoe varieties that were also the product of research and cross breeding with other local and overseas varieties. Among the stand out features of the new tomatoes is bigger size compared to the common tomatoes and about three that are shaped like a heart. A locally manufactured and produced fertilizer, given the name Pokasi was also launched alongside the new crop varieties to help improve on the yields. Pokasi is made from local ingredients like chicken waste, dried coconut scrapings water and soil among others. The new launching continues to help lift the profile in agriculture development and continues the new revival since the new variety of plight resistant taroes restored one of the main stables for Samoa. Comments (21) Subscribe to this comment's feed question written by Sifa, October 09, 2008 Isn't it Taua - not Tara? Hey Sifa written by Vao, October 09, 2008 Samoan Gal and Co. have been having a go at Sioa but I think they don't have your special touch or depth. He hasn't bothered to respond to any of them. I've read some of your postings and you're the only one who brought him out. You two had something going over Rice's visit to Samoa. It was fun reading your exchanges. Vao written by SamoanGal in the USA, October 09, 2008 Maybe Mr Sioa would rather go toe to toe when the end result is in his favor. Or perhaps he's making a statement by being silent. Who cares? I mean really, who cares? I know his views and his hatred for Americans and Samoans living in America. Im glad the taro isnt named Mao Tse-Tung. Vao, there you are!?! written by Robert, October 09, 2008 Vao, finding you in the company of SamoanGal and Sifa is enough to bring out Sioa for another round of "Whip-lashing!". But my gosh! Are you here trying to blow on both the tail ends of these ladies and trying to keep a secret too? Hmmm...? No worries, I don't think these ladies need anyone to blow on their tail-ends to take off on anyone with a Mao Tse-Tung agenda in their writing. You make me want to go water my Vao, for catching you her working your kudos on these ladies? (clearing my throat) Have a good day ladies and... gents. Cheers, Faitau le Pi written by Fe'e 4 Corners, October 09, 2008 Remember the Pi or Pee? There is no H, K, R. Just a, e, i, o, u so it must be Taua not Tara. The caption under the picture says it all. I know it is hard for foreigners to pick it up but it is easy for a Samoan to see it right away. It is just like taro and talo. I will choose talo because taro is the palagi way of saying it. If the talo is named Mao-Tse-Tung, I will be glad because it is a Samoan talo with a Chinese last name. It is about time we recognize the humble people from China who were brought over to work in the palagi plantations and had been and are still struggling to build our small nation of Samoa. Mr Sioa, I don't blame you for showing no compassionate for the Americans and her adopted Samoan sons and daughters. How can you if they don't respect those who put their own lives on the line for American and the world. I need to talk to Laura Bush but keep on humming that tune "Silence Is Golden". ... written by Minoretta Prichard, October 09, 2008 You guys sound like Instigators Provoking Evil, With Eve (samoangal) on the sideline we might need to dig up Hitler to tag team with her. We Shall End On That Note written by Vao, October 09, 2008 C'mon guys ...you're blowing too much wind into this. Robbie you waffle too much. Couldn't make any sense of what you were on about. Maybe those half naked women wrestlers got you all bothered and frothing in the mouth. Bad boy! Samoan Gal loves the kicking and the punching in the ring, she should not be allowed the tender act of blowing life saving wind up the tail end of a bird . Besides she wouldn't know which end to blow. I think I'm beginning to see why Sioa is not wasting his time responding to you folks. Maybe that's why Sifa is staying away too. I think I shall join them. Whoa! written by SamoanGal in the USA, October 10, 2008 Fe'e you lost me. Dont know where you were going with your comment. Minoretta: Why do you see evil? I see people sharing ideas and opinions. Maybe you like to keep quiet. If I shared your views or Mr. Sioa's views, it would be boring. Learn to live it up a little. Vao: Well, you're all business arent you? Where's the love? written by sau, October 10, 2008 As Americans said after Rodney King's beating, "Can we just all get along?" No, matter who's right or wrong, i'm a Samoa and nobody will make me change otherwise. God bless all the Samoan around the world! Packing it up and rolling out! written by Robert, October 10, 2008 Vao, could you really tell I was frothing from the mouth? Darn it! The only time I do froth from the mouth is when I’m a really bad boy with my gorgeous wife. Thanks for the “Bad boy” compliment. My apology if you were in froth over my Divas and wrestling explanation of being the only reason I would watch wrestling. Cheers, Se Pio, soia e ke Pi'o! written by Sifa, October 10, 2008 Talo-fa! Pio, c’mon crawl out of the Vao shell and facade now. On a second thought, it might be appropriate and beneficial for you to take up another nick and wear a second hat so you can participate objectively (I hope) in the debates and discussions instead of sporadic doses of your personal inbred biases and prejudices. Who knows, by establishing a pseudo identity, you just might be able to convince some of NewsLine’s readership of your versatility, felicity and dexterity - and not your superficiality. lol. Sue, the caption has been changed but not the body of the article where “Hon. Tara Kitiona” still shows. It’s offensive to Mr. Seuala, I’m sure, especially “Tara” sounds more like a girl’s/woman’s name. Btw, is this a reversal of the naming trends in Samoa? Normally, most native Samoan names are drawn from nature. Or is it due to the so-called “circle of life”? ...hahahaa. I hope the Minister does not have any bad tastes (punning of course), otherwise I would settle for my favorites still - talo Manu’a and talo Niue. One Out One To Come written by Vao, October 10, 2008 Hooray! Sifa is back! She's/He's posting all over the forum too! Making up for lost time perhaps. Sorry Sifa I can't take the credit for Sioa. Even if I wanted too I don't think that would be advisable with you joining the wresting team of the 'Vicious' Samoan Gal and 'Frothing' Robbie. What's your handle Sifa? How about 'Siva Sifa Siva'. Yeah, I like that..it comes across like ' Go Sifa Go.' Hahahaha written by SamoanGal in the USA, October 10, 2008 Vao, contain yourself. You look like a chinese school-girl jumping up and down looking for her "Stalin" book-bag. Get Sifa's autograph and watch your stocks fall to damnation...lol Vao written by Robert, October 11, 2008 Vaosie, now you’re embarrassing yourself! Learn to quit while you’re ahead Vaosie? The only injured bird that needs help Vaosie, is yourself. Maybe no one’s ever taken the time in Samoa during your adolescent to blow your tail and help you fly off? You’re an annoying ectoparasite at best Vaosie that Sifa will soon administer antibiotics for treatment. I’m past the watering of my Vao. I’m applying weed kill to it immediately! cheers, This is why I hate Americans!!! written by Hahahahaha!, October 11, 2008 Why cant you Americans just go and read the New York Times and Washington Post online etc instead of making stupid comments on this forum? Why the negativity? The anti-american sentiments on this forum is not unique to Samoa, it is worldwide and global! We all think you guys are brainwashed idiots! Why do you come on here with all your negative views and values. Judging from your negative remarks and mud slinging on this forum I am sure you will be voting for McCain and Palin,(thats assuming that you are citizens?) im sure your all pitbull's and pigs wearing lipstick and love hockey!!! Please if you dont have anything positive to say than just go to the many USA newspapers online and talk about how 'great the USA' is instead of making us all vomit when we have to read your glorification of your racist country, whose debt to China your grandchildren will be paying off!!! Maybe you should name an American Hot Dog after Mao Tse-Tung! Se Hahahahaha... written by SamoanGal in the USA, October 12, 2008 Well somebody is angry..lol. Hahahahahaha is literally saying to stop coming to this online newspaper and go to another. If I were the publisher, I believe I would tell YOU to go and stop trying to reduce my readers. As with any business, if there is no customer, there is no business. Dont let your hate cloud your judgement. I am superlative to you in every aspect you can imagine. I do have a question. Sometimes when new things are "discovered", it is usually named after the discoverer. Why wasnt the taro/talo named after that person? Just wondering. Dont start attacking me about whatever hangups you have about America....lol SamoanGal is HOT! but stupid....LOL written by Hahahahahaha....., October 13, 2008 Dear SamoanGal, Angry? No sorry not angry, just astounded that Samoans can become so hateful and brainwashed like you and your pals on here. Superlative? yes you are right you are superlative FIAPOKO!!!! LOL You need Jesus! Talofa'e ia hahahahahah! written by sau, October 13, 2008 Why are you so hateful? You're telliing Samoa Gal that she needs Jesus, but i think you're the one who really needs Jesus in your life. I'm Samoa living in US and how would you feel if i say that i hate Samoan? Well, i don't know what all the Samoan have aganist the US, but i'm guessing that Joe Kiel's arrested have really hit home. I'm a Samoan and proud of it, but people like you entice violence and hatred toward Americans. Talofa'e ia hahahah, what you can't get out of Samoa? Sau, Jesus loves you! written by hahahahaha!, October 13, 2008 Dear Sau, strange that you blame me for my negative comments about Americans? Why dont you go through all the articles written in Samoalivenews.com and see all the real negative stuff your brothers and sisters from America are commenting on here. My disgust has nothing to do with Joe Keil, but the lack of respect from the comments made from your brothers and sisters in America on here. It is your lack of judgement to see both sides of the argument that makes your rebuke of me so funny! It also has nothing to do about my comments which entice violence and hatered toward the USA, its what you guys from the USA are saying on this forum that entices such negative and anti-american sentiment. YOU need Jesus as well and I am praying and fasting for you, try and see that there are always two sides of a coin!!! ...... ... written by SamoanGal in the USA, October 13, 2008 Thank you sau for championing your US neighbor. Haahahahahaha: Why would you be astounded of anything? Your brain capacity inables you to make a statement as such. How many times are you going to say "brainwashed" and "stupid"? One day, someone will be proud of you and admire you for your input. That day is not today. Perhaps you should actually use your mind; not your behind. Lack of Judgement? written by sau, October 14, 2008 Talofa'e ia hahahahah, i read every articles in here and samoaobserver everyday. It's the first thing i do when i arrive in my office every morning. I love Samoa that i come here to get all the latest news and info about our beloved country. There was never any negative comments about US unitl the arrest of Joe Kiel. You and everyone can deny it, but the fact of the matter is, if Joe was never arrested, none of this hurtful comments about Samoa US and US would have never happened. It seems like all of our brothers and sisters in Samoa started this whole fiasco about Samoa US and Samoa. Yes, there's two side in every story, but two wrong don't make it right. Jesus loves you too hahahahahaha and i'm praying and fasting for you too! I love all the Samoan around the world and i love you too hahahahahah! Write comment Name Email Title Comment
Last Updated ( Friday, 10 October 2008 )

< Prev		Next >

[ Back ]

Polls

--ADVERTISEMENTS--

Google Satellite Map of Eveni Carruthers

--ADVERTISEMENTS--

"Where the natives buy and sell"

--ADVERTISEMENTS--

Latest Comments

Manu Samoa In Tough Pool For 2011 World Cup
all the way

Manu Samoa In Tough Pool For 2011 World Cup
samoa god blezz all of each one of you for playing for our country

Deadly Catch For Fisherman
The poor fisherman who minded his own business while trying to get home to his family is assaulted a...

Manu Samoa In Tough Pool For 2011 World Cup
Having the World cup in NZ is the closest we will get to having the world cup near Samoa. We need a ...

To Err Is Human! To Suffer From That Same Err Is A...
10 to 12 deaths first year of RHD----

Social Network

Join the Newsline Team on Bebo

www.bebo.com/newslineS

Become part of the Newsline Bebo Network

Get News via your Email

Subscribe to Samoa Live News Headlines by Email

Get the Latest News on your Blackberry or PDA

Subscribe in a reader

Sounds from Samoa

Listen to broadcasts from LiveSamoa.com
Courtesy of Plantation Feet, SBC(540am) and
Radio Polynesia(99.9 FM)

http://www.samoalive.com/sliveradio.asx

Live on Weekdays from 8am to 9am

Have your Say

We want your Opinion

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
If you would like to submit a letter for possible
publication in the print edition of the Newsline,
please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

We want your News

Submit News from your Area
If you would like to submit News for possible
publication in both the online and print version
of Newsline please feel free to email us
at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Become a News Blogger
Have a passion for writing? Interested in
writing articles for Newsline? Email us
at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
We are looking for Bloggers from
around the world to contribute to our site.