Control For
p. 147 · Read in the full issue
Cocoa Pest
The P-NG Administration will spend $250,000 to combat weevil infestations to cocoa trees in the Popondetta area of the Northern District, Papua.
Cocoa trees in the area have been badly stricken with weevil in recent months.
Department of Agriculture workers will carry out a 12month spraying programme using Dipterex insecticide. Hopes are that this will reduce infesta tion to a level where growers will be able to control the weevils by routine pest control.
Cocoa trees in the territory’s two richest-growing area s Rabaul-Kokopo, New Britain, and Madang-Karkar Island— have also been adversely affected in recent months by cocoa’s other big enemy—the Dieback fungus disease.
Several European planters and companies in the Rabaul area have reported significant falls in production due to Dieback, which cannot be controlled by chemical treatment.