FAO and CIHEAM promote control of Red Palm Weevil

25 October 2018, Bari, Italy – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the International Center for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM), has called for the adoption of an integrated multidisciplinary approach to identify and transfer innovative technologies and methods for the control of the Red Palm Weevil (RPW).  

This came during a three-day international meeting titled “Innovative and sustainable approaches to control the Red Palm Weevil”, held in Bari, Italy, with the participation of representation from over 29 countries.

The meeting was organized in collaboration with the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD), The International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Arid Areas (ICARDA) and Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation (KIADPAI).

During the meeting, stakeholders addressed topics concerning biological control, socio-economic impact, surveillance and early detection of RPW and environmentally friendly control measures.

The RPW Expert Group, with the support of technical officers from FAO, CIHEAM and the Near East Plant Protection Organization (NEPPO), had prepared a multidisciplinary strategy paper on RPW control. The strategy stressed the importance of organizing an international meeting to focus on the identification and transfer of innovative techniques applied to the control of RPW and the need to create an international multidisciplinary network of stakeholders.

In light of this, the meeting provided an opportunity to identify the most promising scientific activities, with efficient and sustainable application for pest control in the main areas of palm cultivation.

In conclusion of the meeting, representatives from the participating organizations signed an official declaration with which they committed themselves to cooperate for the implementation of the recommendations and outcomes of this meeting.