New technology to combat pest and disease in cocoa

By SOLDIER BURUKA of DAL

The PNG Cocoa Coconut Institute Ltd has formally released to the cocoa industry a new technology for farmers to use in improving productivity and reduce the impact of the cocoa pod borer.

Integrated pest and disease management (IPDM) involves a series of options (involving pruning, pest and disease control, shade tree management and resistant varieties) which form the basis of integrated management strategies to reduce yield losses from pests and diseases in the cocoa crop.

IPDM is designed to balance and manage activities in relation to the cocoa cropping cycle.

While new planting materials are one component, IPDM technology is equally effective when it is applied to existing plantings of hybrid or clonal cocoa.

IPDM is designed to maximise benefits to the farmer by improving the health of the cocoa plants.

The new technology was launched together with the PNGCCI’s strategic plan 2010-1019 at Tavilo research station last month.

Department of Agriculture and Livestock secretary Anton Benjamin, in launching the IPDM, said cocoa farmers were given renewed hope to maximise cocoa production and he called on the farmers to accept and implement the new management practices.

 DAL Secretary Anton Benjamin and CCI acting CEO Dr Eric Omuru at the launching at Tavilo

He said the government had put in a lot of money and resources to eradicate cocoa pod borer with limited success.

 It is now up to the farmers to decide on implementing the strategies under the IPDM.

Benjamin believed the IPDM technology was the best so far and its overall success in the cocoa industry would depend on farmers and all stakeholders.

The challenge is on all concerned parties including government agencies, provincial administrations, farmer associations, private sector and others to ensure that IPDM is successfully implemented.

He appealed especially to cocoa-growing provinces to take ownership of the IPDM and play a lead role in introducing the new technology to their farmers.

Benjamin also commended Papua New Guinean scientists and researchers who worked closely with experts from overseas to develop the IPDM technology.

“We have the best scientists and researchers in the region and they work under difficult situations,” he said.

“We must recognise the valuable contribution they are making to develop the cocoa industry in the country.”

Benjamin also thanked the Australian Government initiative, Agricultural Research and Development Support Facility (ARDSF), for helping to provide technical assistance and funding to develop the technology.

PNGCCI acting CEO Dr Eric Omuru commended his scientific and research staff for their efforts and believed that the IPDM would have an impact in minimising the cocoa pod borer.

Cocoa farmers have moved away to other commodity crops, however, with the new technology they were expected to return and boost cocoa production.

 A farmer and his two sons study the awareness material on IPDM during the launching

The PNGCCI was established in 2003 through the amalgamation of the PNG Cocoa and Coconut Research institute and the PNG Cocoa and Coconut Extension Agency.

The Cocoa Board and the Kokonas Indastri Koporesen are the shareholding boards each with equal shares of PNGCCI.

Its mandate is research, development and extension in cocoa and coconut production, processing and marketing.

This mandate requires the institute to play a pivotal role in lifting the profile of the two industries in providing income and self-employment for rural farmers in the lowland areas of PNG.

 It is estimated that around two million people depend directly or indirectly on cocoa and coconut products for their livelihood.