The Cane Weevil Borer (CWB) poses a significant threat to sugarcane crops in Fiji’s sugarcane-growing regions. This pest’s larvae burrow into the sugarcane stalks, which are vital for juice extraction and sugar production.
Geetha Nandagopal, head of the Crop Protection Department at the Sugar Research Institute of Fiji and also involved with the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme, stated that no sugarcane variety is immune to the CWB. She explained that infestations make the sugarcane more susceptible to wilting, particularly during dry conditions, ultimately leading to the plant’s death.
Nandagopal emphasized the severe concerns CWB infestations raise for sugarcane farmers. Damage is heightened when canes are lodged, compromising their structural integrity and increasing the risk of breakage in strong winds. The impact of CWB goes beyond physical damage, threatening the overall yield and quality of the crop.
Research indicates that CWB infestations may cause a yield reduction of about 10 percent, along with a troubling two percent decrease in sugar quality. The absence of a sugarcane variety resistant to CWB leaves growers facing a difficult situation as they must constantly update their pest management practices.
Nandagopal highlighted the increased prevalence of wilt associated with CWB during drought conditions.