PCA-8 clears out damaged coco trees to avoid infestation

PALO, LEYTE, Philippines – Coconut trees, damaged by typhoon Yolanda, have to be cleared out of the farms to avoid the spread of pest infestation to surviving coconuts, according to the Philippine Coconut Authority in Eastern Visayas.

PCA-8 Regional Manager Joel Pilapil told The Freeman that his office has already noticed the start of infestation of coconut pests, rhinoceros beetles, on the surviving coconut trees.

Pilapil said the PCA-8 has been conducting pest control and massive clearing activities and removal of the cut or sheared coconut trees out of the farms to destroy the beetles' breeding ground.

The pests can cause incalculable damage to coconut trees if left unchecked, said Pilapil, adding that the beetles start their infestations at the age of two months and then feed on palm shoots and leaves. These pests also attack young coconuts even in the nurseries, he said.

Pilapil said the beetles are common in coconut farms, as part of the ecosystem, but their population was insignificant before Yolanda. After the typhoon PCA-8 personnel began to notice the rising number of these pests, he said.

An estimated 1.16 million damaged coconut trees have been processed into lumber, benefitting about 11,245 coconut farmers, with the clearing operations being conducted by PCA-8.