Agriculture Department seeks funds to battle beetle threats

Agriculture authorities have confirmed intentions to make a submission to National Executive Council for funding to deal with the Guam-biotype rhinoceros beetle that threatens the country’s coconut and oil palm industries.

Acting Agriculture Secretary Francis Daink, said the threat coming in for oil palm and coconut industry of the Rhinoceros beetle Guam strain is currently ravaging Solomon Islands palms.

“Oil palm is the biggest industry that we have that generates a lot of revenue for this country as per the sector is concerned,’’ he said.
“So that threat is now next door and we now need more money and we now ask the government again.

“We are doing an NEC submission through the department to make sure that we get money to support the activities for NAQIA OPIC and the coconut industry corporation.”
While he said it is currently next door, organisations such as the coconut industry regulator, Kokonas Indastri Koporesen, and even New Britain Palm Oil (NBPO) Limited have both confirmed its infiltration in the Southern region of the country.

In January this year NBPO proposed a partnership with the Department of Agriculture to counter fund research into the new pest threatening the oil palm and coconut industries via a tax credit arrangement.

In September NBPO chief execitive officer Jamie Graham also sounded a warning on beetle threat was eminent and also in the country as well.
When asked about the request for counter funding with NBPO, agriculture Minister Benny Allan acknowledged the request had been made and was still yet to reach cabinet for deliberation.

“They have written to us. I have a letter on my table they have written to us to work together again with them to make a submission to cabinet to get some funding to assist us to address this problem. It is in the pipeline,” Mr Allan said.

Source: Post Courier newspaper.