A memorandum of understanding was signed yesterday by the Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change (PACC) Fiji Project, Land and Water Resource Management Division (LWRM) of the Ministry of Primary Industries and the Research Division.
According to PACC Co-ordinator, Vinesh Kumar, the sum of US$15,200 will be given to the Koronivia Research Station (KRS) for the payment of research activities that will be carried out by the research officials.
"They will research and develop local crops that can adapt to drought, floods, inundation and saline conditions arising from climate change effects," said Mr. Kumar.
Principal Research Officer (Agronomy), Poasa Nauluvula said three crops have been identified namely kumala, dalo and cassava for the identified areas.
"Once planting has started the research team will monitor its development to see whether these three crops are drought or flood tolerant as well as salt water tolerant," said Mr Nauluvula.
"There will also be consideration for other crops like bele and banana to be researched in these areas as well," he said.
"There will also be a pest and disease surveillance in place whereby we will be able to monitor its effects in the identified areas."
Research work is expected to be completed by December 2013.
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