About This Project

Taro, an aquatic plant has edible leaves and corms. Its cultivation is constrained by a leaf blight. Some studies reveal that certain varieties from Kakamega county-Kenya are blight tolerant, but how these strains grow in agricultural conditions is unknown. The objectives of the study were to reproduce the crop under rain-fed condition, sell at affordable prices to farmers, and carry out tissue culture training for capacity building and sustainability.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

Taro (‘cocoyam’ or ‘nduma’) an aquatic plant grown for edible leaves and corms is constrained by a fungal disease that destroys the leaves and corms. [DOI] [Google Scholar]. Knowledge pertaining to tolerant varieties grown under rain-fed conditions, greenhouse viz a viz field production and conservation remain unknown to the community [DOI]. The study underscores the production of a disease tolerant crop grown under rain-fed condition, to be sold to farmers at affordable prices while performing training on agronomy and tissue culture for sustainability. Botanic Garden will be established for biodiversity conservation [DOI]. The communities, industries and policy makers will be involved through barazas, workshops, conferences and publications for poverty and hunger reduction, food security, gender empowerment and biodiversity conservation.

What is the significance of this project?

Kenya like other developing countries, with potential climate change impacts face huge challenges of food insecurity and with the growing population the problem will grow more acute. If the neglected crops like taro are not prioritized, the UN SDG goal number 2 will be illusive [DOI]. It is important to explore sustainable crop production and new opportunities in terms plant genetic resources [DOI]. In this context, it is imperative that disease and climate tolerant underutilized orphaned crops like taro be reintroduced into mainstream production. Taro has been under-exploited but has tremendous potential whose leaves and corms are edible. It is able to increase farmers’ incomes as it is also grown in home gardens and orchards. It is sustainable to have taro varieties that are eco-climatically matched with best practices for higher production and quality.

What are the goals of the project?

The project will begin with experiments to compare field and greenhouse taro production. This will be done from the first growing season in April 2025. Distribution of seedlings will begin after 3 months in July 2025. Two sets of garden will be prepared in a Completely Randomized Design with three replications. Analysis will be done using Statistical Analysis System program. Capacity building training will be conducted from July 2025 to December 2026 through conferences, hands on activities and workshops. Women, men and youths will be empowered to establish their own greenhouses and Botanic gardens to ensure gene bank conservation of orphaned and underutilized/under researched root crops particularly taro.