Biotechnological approach in targeting pest and disease problems in Papua New Guinea

Words and picture by SENIORL ANZU

 

Biotechnological approaches are being used by National Agriculture Research Institute in targeting pest and disease problems linked to climate change in Papua New Guinea.

The country suffered the virtual destruction of its potato industry following the outbreak of potato late blight disease in 2003, and viral disease and pest infestations of sweet potato and other crops are increasingly hampering production and marketing.

Biotechnological solutions include the micro-propagation and field testing of blight-free and blight-resistant potato clones, and the development of clean pathogen-tested sweet potato.

Pictured is Winnie Maso of NARI explaining the crop improvement activities to school students who participated at the 2009 Agricultural Innovations Show at Bubia outside Lae on Tuesday.

The micro-propagation activities are undertaken at the tissue culture laboratory at Aiyura, Eastern Highlands.

From the laboratory, disease-free plantlets are supplied to the Fresh Produce Development Agency for development purposes through its farmer network.