Iavro pushes stronger links between agriculture and trade
Trade Minister Robson Iavro and Deputy Prime Minister Johnny Koanapo Rasou visited VARTC on 27 August 2026 and called for stronger research–production–trade links.
- policy
- trade
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News
Stories about VARTC from the press and partners. Each links to the original.
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DoCC monitoring visit to Santo highlights progress in climate-resilient agriculture
CFF monitoring found 18 Provincial Seed Bank Officers and a National Seed Bank Manager in place, solar seed-bank power and a Seed Processing Facility; cold storage, irrigation, Post-Entry Quarantine and a Tissue Culture Lab are next.
- seed bank
- climate
- CFF
VARTC showcases innovation and legacy in agricultural research
Open Day with national leaders retells the station's history as once the world's second-largest coconut research facility. Board Chair Antoine Ravo: "Research is everybody's business."
- open day
- heritage
- coconut
Supporting seedbanks for resilience in Vanuatu's agriculture
Seed-bank toolkits and farmer training across six provinces with VARTC.
- seed bank
- training
VARTC formally presents Annual Report 2024
CEO Steglar Tabiaga and Board Chair Antoine Ravo hand the 2024 Annual Report to Minister Ian Wilson — a "historic milestone".
- governance
- annual report
VARTC consults stakeholders on reform
Port Vila workshops on reviewing the VARTC Act and creating a National Productive Sector Research Council; the Board endorses an Efate office and sub-centres.
- governance
- policy
Seed champions in Vanuatu aim for agricultural future
Seed-systems training at VARTC (1–5 August 2023) under Pacific Seeds for Life, with MALFFB, Manaaki Whenua and New Zealand MFAT.
- seed systems
- training
First VARTC Strategic Plan launched
Minister Nako Natuman launches the Strategic Plan 2023–27; releases include the VTT × Rennell coconut, 11 taro Fiji varieties, island taro 'Vuxtamasao' and Charolais/Brahman cattle.
- strategy
- varieties
Preserving genetic diversity of root and tuber crops in Vanuatu
Head of Root & Tuber Crops Floriane Lawac on conserving yams, cassava, taro, coconut, cocoa, coffee and livestock breeds.
- gene bank
- root crops
FSAC and VARTC to conserve root crops genetic resources
After TC Harold, VARTC's Root Crops Division recollects lost yam and taro varieties from relief shipments for the national gene bank.
- gene bank
- cyclone
- root crops
Pacific Seeds for Life: the case of yam breeding in Vanuatu
African yams sourced by Marie Melteras, the 'White Waelu' hybrid, farmer White Sailas's 20-tonne harvest and the legacy of Dr Roger Malapa.
- yam
- breeding
- heroes
CRB threat challenges coconut replanting goals
More than 800,000 coconuts planted towards the one-million goal; coconut rhinoceros beetle in Santo limits seednut movement.
- coconut
- biosecurity
Hybrid yam named after late Dr Roger
Three hybrid wailu yams from Dr Malapa's decade of research; the 'Dr Roger' variety is launched.
- yam
- varieties
- heroes
Vanuatu scientist leaves inspirational legacy
Tribute to Dr Roger Malapa, the first ni-Vanuatu PhD in science, with words from Dr Vincent Lebot.
- heroes
- yam
EU Commissioner Neven Mimica visits the VARTC farm (photo record)
The EU Commissioner's Pacific visit included VARTC's cattle fields — photos released under CC BY 4.0.
- livestock
- partners
Vanuatu hires yam expert from India to combat crop disease
Director Roger Malapa brings in Dr Ambraham Kuthomathatadil to breed anthracnose-resistant yams.
- yam
- breeding