Taro in Madagascar Taro in Madagascar •  Orphan crops •  Contribute to food security •  Contribute to ʼ farmer s income •  Closely linked with pork production in some region (Itasy, Vakinankaratra, etc.) Research on Taro in Madagascar FOFIFA FIFAMANOR •  Does not have a special •  Starts research Programme on Taro activities in 2000 •  Involved in the issues •  As collaborative project related to rural with the national development at national Programme de Soutien level pour le Développement Rural (PSDR) •  Needs from the agriculture department to identify Taro diseases (eastern region) and to introduce resistant varieties Germplasm •  54 cultivars ( 22 local cultivars, and 32 varieties from Vanuatu) •  Maintained in field and in vitro Biotic stresses for taro (C. esculenta) and cocoyam (X. sagittifolium), •  Fungus diseases •  Mealybugs (Cladosporiose, •  Caterpillars Phytiose) •  Aphids •  Nematods Previous breeding experiences with edible aroids •  Introduction of new cultivars •  Micropropagation •  Field multiplication •  Participatory breeding with farmers