Maldives has signed an agreement with China on coconut tree pest control in the island nation.
The Implementation Agreement for the Assistance Project on Coconut Tree Pest Control in the Maldives was signed by the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare Dr Maryam Mariya and the Ambassador of China to the Maldives, Kong Xianhua on Tuesday.
According to the Ministry, the agreement primarily based on the Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation signed between Maldives and China on 20 September 2019 and the exchange of letters exchanged between the two countries on 10 January 2024, is an important and strategic step to manage the coconut Hispian beetle infestation in the Maldives.
The two-year project aims to ensure food security in the Maldives with the main objective of controlling invasive pests that damage trees and tree parts that are not native to the island nation.
An expert team from the Environment and Plant Protection Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS) in December last year had met with senior officials from the Ministry to discuss the implementation of the "Maldives Coconut Tree Pest Control Assistance Project."
During the visit, the CATAS expert team initiated an assessment to establish a Natural Enemy Laboratory in the Maldives, dedicated to combating the Coconut Hispid Beetle. 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 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 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.