The Ministry of Agriculture is seeking to establish a germplasm bank in an effort to preserve the different species of breadfruit trees found here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Agricultural Officer Michael Gloster in an interview with WEFM News said that conservation of the breadfruit is important because outside of the Pacific region, where the breadfruit originated, St. Vincent and the Grenadines has the largest genetic diversity of the breadfruit.

According to the Agricultural Officer this country has over 25 varieties of breadfruit.

Mr. Gloster noted that the breadfruit cultivars brought to St. Vincent and the Grenadines by Captain William Bligh were of the best quality, and are unique in that they are seedless.

He said the Ministry of Agriculture is aiming to have the breadfruit germplasm bank established sometime this year.

Mr. Gloster explained that it is important for all of the breadfruit genetic material available here be conserved so that they can be replanted and replenished in event of a natural disaster or other phenomenon.

Tuesday January 23, 2018 marked 225 years since the breadfruit was first introduced to St. Vincent and the Grenadines in 1793 by Captain William Bligh to address food security.

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