Vanuatu's Minister of Agriculture Matai Seremaiah has helped potato farmers on Tanna island to harvest about 40 tonnes of organic potatoes.
He also provided a ship to cart the spuds to Port Vila where the government's Cooperatives Department can sell them in the local market.
Agriculture Minister, Matai Seremaiah Photo: Vanuatu Govt
Our correspondent said farmers were happy to get payment for their potatoes from a government agency for the first time.
The government wants to encourage the farmers to grow more potatoes, carrots and onions to reduce a reliance on imports and to export their crops.
The minister said while Vanuatu couldn't compete with major growers overseas, its marketing strategy would rely on its products being organic.
