Insecticide Discovery in PNG

A BREAKTHROUGH has been made in Papua New Guinea, where researchers say they believe they have found the solution to insect pests that are threatening the country’s multi-million kina cocoa and coffee industries. An insecticide, developed with oil extracted from a plant endemic to PNG, has so far proven to be potent against insects that damage cocoa and coffee crops. Dr Topul Rali, from the University of PNG said the discovery was a huge step forward. Dr Rali told Radio Australia’s Pacific Beat program it would mean PNG would not have to rely on the help of other countries if the insecticide was made available across the agricultural sector. “Some of these chemicals are very potent against specific insects and using that patented knowledge when the plant is so plentiful in the country I think the next thing for us is to solve our own agricultural problems by using it,” he said.