BETEL nut palm trees are next for the coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) to attack in this country.
This was according to the Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil Limited (GPPOL) General Manager, Craig Gibsone.
“This devastating beetle will attack coconuts, oil palms, Sago Palms, Bananas, sugar canes and next is betel-nut palm trees,” Mr Gibsone said.
He added the future of this country will not look bright in terms of coconut and oil palm industry if we continue to neglect this beetle and allow it to move around, destroying these very important palm trees, which thousands of Solomon Islanders depend on for their livelihoods.
I want to tell you people that so far we have just gone two years but the effects of beetle damage to coconuts and palm oil have not been good.
Like others have mentioned already that we need concerted regional and national efforts to eradicate this pest.
Otherwise it will continue to destroy our economy and the lives of our people here.
Mr Gibsone said that as long as the beetle has finished or is tired of eating coconut, oil palm, sago palm, banana and sugar cane, it will attack betel-nuts and that will be the day for some of us.
Betel-nut as we all know is a very important plant for Solomon islanders.
People use it as food and most people these days used it as one of the means to earn money for living.
The future of this plant is not looking good if the beetle continues to survive and spread to other provinces in the country.
Currently the beetle was reported in Guadalcanal, Savo and Malaita provinces.
By LESLEY SANGA
