An expert team from the Environment and Plant Protection Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS) has met with senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare to discuss the implementation of the "Maldives Coconut Tree Pest Control Assistance Project."
This collaboration, announced by the Agriculture Ministry, marks a significant step towards controlling the Coconut Hispine Leaf Beetle (CHLB) in the Maldives. The project aims to protect the country's coconut palms, which are under threat from this invasive pest.
In their recent visit, the CATAS expert team initiated an assessment to establish a Natural Enemy Laboratory in the Maldives, dedicated to combating the Coconut Hispid Beetle, according to the Agriculture Ministry. The chosen site for this laboratory is the Hanimaadhoo Agriculture Center, where the team gathered necessary information to expedite the project's progress.
The establishment of this laboratory is a critical step towards sustainable pest management, the ministry said, and will aid in preserving the health of coconut palms and ensuring the continuity of this vital natural resource.
Additionally, the CATAS team, in collaboration with the Agriculture Ministry, visited Maafahi Island in Haa Alifu Atoll to explore efforts in developing a biological control programme for the Coconut Hispid Beetle. During their visit to the Hanimaadhoo Agriculture Center, valuable technical knowledge on biological control management protocols and insect-pest interactions was exchanged, according to the ministry.
The Agriculture Ministry also announced the launch of a four-year National Coconut Tree Rehabilitation programme. This initiative seeks to increase the availability of coconuts by transferring and planting 160 young coconut palms from the Hanimaadhoo Agriculture Center to various islands across the country.