Negotiations have commenced for initiating a papaya cultivation project in Tairāwhiti, focusing on both the fruit and leaf's properties. Raymond Young, the CEO of Fuller Young International, has engaged with a local nursery to start Gisborne's inaugural commercial Carica papaya crop trial. Originating from Mexico, this tropical plant has shown potential for growth in the region. The health benefits of papaya leaves and fruit are well-documented, with scientific research highlighting their bioactive compounds that possess anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties.
Fuller Young International, a Queenstown-based entity led by Young, will provide the "Wakatengu" cultivar seeds for the trial at Manutuke by Tai Kupenga Ltd. According to Trevor Mills, the local project manager, this trial represents a significant opportunity for establishing a commercial crop aimed at producing medical, nutraceutical, and high-value food products. The variety selected for this trial, known for its higher bioactivity levels, especially in the leaf, has been part of a collaborative research effort involving a plant and food research trial in Kerikeri and ongoing studies in Japan and Malaysia.
The trial, set to begin with indoor-grown plants from seeds supplied by the company's Japan office, will see outdoor planting in Gisborne in late October, with a harvest planned for May 2025. This trial complements other local agricultural projects, including banana and pineapple cultivation in Tairāwhiti.
Source: nzherald.co.nz