Scientists, farmers working on ways to control impact of weevils

RESEARCH into ways to control the impact of weevils on sweet potatoes in Papua New Guinea has seen local scientists working with farmers to identify natural options.
The National Agriculture Research Institute (Nari) has been conducting trials for five years at Aiyura, Eastern Highlands, for local farmers and those in Western Highlands, Jiwaka and Eastern Highlands using the potential of barrier plants to help protect sweet potatoes from weevils thereby improving yields.
According to the research there are two weevils – the sweet potato weevil and Indian sweet potato weevil – that have had researchers hoping to identify barrier plants that can repel the insects to minimise damage to the food crop.
Researchers have worked with farmers conducting trials and the results have been promising.
A workshop in Lae on Tuesday saw a group of farmers from the three provinces interact with researchers and Nari officials to review the results of the trials.
Junior crop protection scientist at the Papua New Guinea University of Technology Melanie Pitiki told The National that the project had been collaborative effort between the Australian Centre for International Agriculture Research, Nari, Fresh Produce Development Agency (FPDA) and the UoT Agriculture Department.
“We are trying to identify different available control options to control these two weevils that are affecting our kaukau,” Pitiki said.
“The project had been on going and today (Tuesday) we had a final project review where we brought in all our farmers from Western Highland, Jiwaka, and Eastern Highland to participate in the project review with our partners from abroad as well through Zoom video conference.”
She said the review allowed farmers to talk about their experiences and how the projected had impacted their livelihood and their farming methods.
“It was a take home for the farmers as well to use different methods to prevent weevils from damaging their crop and improving the overall yield which the farmers were impressed with,” Pitiki said.