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Consumer perception and acceptance of new taro varieties in Auckland and Fiji

Chand, Anand (2011) Consumer perception and acceptance of new taro varieties in Auckland and Fiji. [Conference Proceedings]

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Abstract

The paper will examine the consumer perception and acceptance of new hybrid varieties in Auckland and Fiji islands. This paper is based on primary fieldwork research conducted in Auckland in February 2011 and in Fiji October 2011 as part of the Pacific Agriculture Development Initiative (PARDI). A sensory test with four taro varieties were conducted with a sample size of 400 Pacific islanders (Samoans, Tongans, Fijians, etc) living in south Auckland and Fiji. The research results show that both in Fiji and Auckland, majority of the respondents preferred Dalo-ni-Tonga taro variety. It is interesting to note that Dalo-ni-Tonga is not exported to Auckland from Fiji and hence the results indicate there is a potential for this variety to be exported to Auckland. The Qere variety also featured well in Auckland with around a quarter (25%) of the respondents preferring this variety and hence this variety also has a potential for export to Auckland. The results further show that vis-à-vis Fiji the results of Auckland test were more widely spread out with the other three varieties namely; Tausala-ni-Samoa variety (24%), Wararasa variety (21%) and Qere variety (25%). The reason why Tausala-ni-Samoa and Wararasa got slightly higher rating in Auckland is because consumers are familiar with these varieties as they are available in Auckland (exported from Fiji). After the taro blight in Samoa in early 1990s, Fiji had captured the Auckland market. The information from this research has been disseminated to taro farmers and agriculture extension officers so they can produce taro varieties preferred by consumers in Fiji and Auckland.

Item Type: Conference Proceedings
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions
S Agriculture > SB Plant culture
Divisions: Faculty of Business and Economics (FBE) > School of Management and Public Administration
Depositing User: Ms Shalni Sanjana
Date Deposited: 21 May 2011 03:56
Last Modified: 26 Jun 2012 08:32
URI: http://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/4584
UNSPECIFIED

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