Maldives to set up lab with China support to control beetles

Maldives authorities have begun research towards establishing a laboratory with the help of China to control beetle population.

The agreements signed between the Maldives and China, during President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s earlier state visit to China this year included the agreement towards an eco-friendly and sustainable solution in controlling the population of hispid beetles, which is among the organisms that damage coconut palms the most.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare, the government has already contracted Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS) to launch special initiatives to train the personnel in the planned laboratory, where parasitoid will be developed to combat hispid beetle populations in the Maldives.

The ministry also confirmed that four of CATAS professors have already flown in to Maldives, who will conduct the final phase of research required to establish the laboratory. The team will assist the government in analyzing the conditions of the area designated for the laboratory along with provide necessary information relevant in expediting the development of this facility.

The ministry confirms the CATAS team has already recommended Hanimaadhoo agricultural center as the best location owing to the large population of hispid beetles already found in the island as well as the center providing sufficient infrastructure for the laboratory.

The CATAS team, which is currently visiting Hanimaadhoo, has already shared information regarding biological control management protocols and insect-pact interactions with the technical staff of the agricultural ministry.

The CATAS team along a team of the ministry’s technical staff visited Haaf Alif atoll Maafahi to observe the ongoing biological control program to control beetle populations in the island.