1967–1973
R. Manciot
IRHO livestock and coconut researcherStarted the Charolais absorption-crossbreeding programme at Saraoutou in April 1967 and early livestock-under-coconut work.[5]
Hall of Fame · Panthéon
Ol Hero blong VARTC
For more than sixty years, people have given their careers to Saraoutou. Long-serving staff are national heroes. This is where we say tank yu tumas — and inspire the next generation.
VLFeatured hero
"You can reach the highest degree in science"— Dr Vincent Lebot, in tribute to Dr Roger Malapa (2017)[4]
★ Featured hero
Dr Vincent Lebot
CIRAD scientist · head of the CIRAD-VARTC root-crops improvement programme since 1998
- Began working on tropical root crops in 1981 while teaching agriculture in Vanuatu.[1]
- Led root-crops improvement at VARTC from 1998; his CIRAD-VARTC publications run from 1999 to 2024.[2]
- Scientific coordinator of TANSAO (taro, from 1998) and SPYN (yam, from 1999), and of INEA, the International Network for Edible Aroids (2010).[1]
- Author of The Kavas of Vanuatu (SPC, 1988, with P. Cabalion), Kava: the Pacific Drug (Yale, 1992) and Tropical Root and Tuber Crops (CABI 2009; 2nd ed. 2020), called "the standard reference on roots and tubers".[3]
- David Fairchild Medal for Plant Exploration (2003) and the PNAS Cozzarelli Prize (2013).[1]
- Directed seven PhDs, including Roger Malapa — the first ni-Vanuatu PhD in science — and supervised Marie Melteras's MSc.[1]
The mentoring tree
Students he directed or supervised:[1]
Dr Roger MalapaMarie Melteras (MSc)José Quero-GarcíaJulie SardosCaroline RoullierPatricia SiméoniSophie Caillon (co-supervised)
On the shelf
Kava: the Pacific Drug1992
Taro: Genetics and Breeding2000
Gardens of Oceania (with A. Walter)2007
Tropical Root and Tuber Crops2009 · 2020
. A photo credited to Vincent Lebot appears in a CGIAR RTB article; permission to be requested.
IRHO & early CIRAD1962 – 1993
The founders of the coconut station and the cattle-under-coconut system.
c. 1982–1988
Claude-Hervé Calvez
Director, IRHO Saraoutou stationLed the station and authored the landmark 1985 review of coconut improvement in Vanuatu.[6]
c. 1982–1984
J.-B. Coulon & M.-P. Chazal
Agronomists, IRHO SaraoutouWrote the 15-year review showing that Charolais crosses raise coconut-grove productivity by about 15%.[5]
1982–1991
Jean-François Julia
Entomologist, IRHO-CIRAD SaraoutouStudied coconut foliar decay and its vector Myndus taffini; coconut hybrid testing.[6]
1981–1991
Michel de Nucé de Lamothe
Head of IRHO-CIRAD Coconut DivisionSteered the coconut hybrid programme; co-author of the 1985 Saraoutou review.[6]
The CIRAD-mandate years1994 – 2002 and after
Partner scientists who built VARTC's research reputation.
1996–2006
Jean-Pierre Labouisse
CIRAD coconut breeder, c/o VARTC/CARFVLead author of the 1962–2002 coconut achievements overview; built up the local coconut collections.[7]
2001–2005
Sophie Caillon
CIRAD, c/o CARFV SantoIn-situ conservation of coconut and taro on Vanua Lava.[8]
2004–2021
Olivier Roupsard
CIRAD ecophysiologistWorld-class long-term coconut carbon and water studies at Saraoutou with VARTC staff.[9]
National scientists & leaders2003 – 2022
The first generations of ni-Vanuatu researchers and leaders of the statutory Centre.
In memoriamPhD 2001–04 · director 2014
Dr Roger Malapa
Yam breeder · directorFirst ni-Vanuatu PhD in science. Bred hundreds of root-crop hybrids; the hybrid wailu 'Dr Roger' carries his name.[4]
Serving today1999 → today
Tiata Sileye
Coconut research · Head of Cacao/Coffee · Acting CEO (2015)Co-author of the 1962–2002 coconut achievements paper; collected and characterised local coconut populations.[7]
2002 → 2024
Marie Melteras
Director (2012) · Head of Horticulture (2016)Brought in African yam accessions from CePaCT/IITA — the basis of the later yam hybrids.[10]
Serving today & the next generation2023 – now
Today's leaders and the new generation of VARTC scientists.
Serving today2015 → today
Floriane Lawac
Head of Root & Tuber CropsLeads root-crop genetic resources conservation; Root Crops Division Manager during the post-Harold recollection (2020).[12]
Serving today2016 → today
Steglar Tabiaga
Head of Livestock (2016) · CEO (2025)Contributor to the ACIAR beef-cattle project; now leads the Centre.[13]
Serving today2016 → today
Juliane Kaoh
Root crops field supervisor → researcherCo-author of VARTC root-crop genetic resources papers, 2017–2026.[14]
Serving today2025 → today
Benonny Bulememe
Researcher — new generationRoot-crop genetic resources research.[15]
Serving today2025 → today
Rosanne Molgos
Researcher — new generationRoot-crop and aibika genetic resources research.[15]
Field, farm & support heroes
The people who keep the station running. Names and roles from the 2016 organisation chart;[14]. Ideal subjects for Bislama oral-history recordings.
Jonathan Buleuru
Coconut Production SupervisorWilly Tabi
Cacao/Coffee Field SupervisorJules Sarsoum
Head MechanicFranck Jimmy
Head of Building MaintenancePedro Relman
Farm HandMauricette Raupepe
General SecretaryMarguerite Cevuard
Finance Officer
Coconut Production SupervisorWilly Tabi
Cacao/Coffee Field SupervisorJules Sarsoum
Head MechanicFranck Jimmy
Head of Building MaintenancePedro Relman
Farm HandMauricette Raupepe
General SecretaryMarguerite Cevuard
Finance Officer
Community heroes
Farmers and scientists whose names now grow in gardens across Vanuatu.
Variety named in their honour
White Sailas
Santo champion farmer. The hybrid yam 'White Waelu' is named after him; in July 2019 he harvested 20 tonnes of yams, about half White Waelu.[10]
Variety named in their honour
Dr Roger Malapa
The hybrid wailu 'Dr Roger', launched in 2017 at the Penama yam festival.[16]
Nominate a hero
Nominate a hero
Know someone who gave years to VARTC — a scientist, a field hand, a mechanic, a farmer partner? Staff, families and communities can nominate them. We especially want to fill the gaps: IRHO-era and CIRAD-mandate directors, and the first CEOs from 2003 to 2011.