Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Tuvalu could lose root crop

Posted at 22:59 on 17 September, 2008 UTC

The people of Tuvalu are being urged to plant the root crop Pulaka before it becomes extinct.

Pulaka is a swamp crop and similar to taro which Tuvalu has relied on for generations.

The Director of Agriculture Etia Lausaveve says there is a decline in the cultivation of the crop due to changing lifestyles and eating habits.

“If we don’t do anything to promote and strengthen the traditional agriculture that is the cultivation of Pulaka in the dug out pits we will lose some of the Pulaka that is important to us for many years.13”