The Pacific Community is holding a workshop in Fiji to review the management of two insect pests causing damage to the crops taro and coconut.
The four-day workshop is organised by SPC Land Resources Division in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Sugar and Land Reform.
The beetles have two naturally occurring enemies - a fungus and a virus.
The workshop will focus on techniques to raise and apply the two biocontrol agents to affected areas.
Experts from agricultural institutions in New Zealand and Australia will give technical presentations including field and lab demonstrations on the management of the two bioagents.
Both crops are very important for food security, to sustain cultural obligations, manufacture of value-added products and for export marketing.
