The American Samoa director of agriculture Filifaatali Mike Fuiava says he believes there's enough local taro to withstand the impact of a ban on imports from Samoa.
Last week, Filifaatali suspended the importation of taro and taro shoots from Samoa because of unidentified diseases affecting crops in parts of Upolu.
A Taro plant Photo: RNZI/Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
At a meeting for taro farmers, the director has told them what they need to do to fill demand for those stores and vendors normally dependent on Samoa.
There are about 100 taro farmers on Tutuila and the director told them to find out stores that had been relying on the imports.
Filifa'atali said it was too early to say when the ban would be lifted as officials were waiting on the results of tests on the infected samples being undertaken in Germany on Samoa's behalf.