PACIFIC ISLANDS AGRICULTURE

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28314, 27 June 1957, Page 7

PACIFIC ISLANDS AGRICULTURE

Bright Future Predicted

“The future of agriculture in, the Cook Islands and Western Samoa is bright, provided modern knowledge and techniques are utilised, and adequate facilities are provided for the investigation of problems,” said Mr L. W. Tiller, assistant secretary to the Agricultural and Biological Divisions of the Department of scientific and Industrial Research. Mr Tiller has recently returned from a seven weeks’ visit to the Cook Islands and Western Samoa.

“There is scope for improvement by the application of techniques already known.” said Mr Tiller. "For example, a substantial loss in bananas caused by attack by scab moth could be avoided by dusting, but it is necessary to convince the

growers that the improved techniques are profitable." There was a considerable agricultural potential in the Pacific Islands, as most pastures were in the “unimproved" category, he said. A significant increase in production could result from the use of fertilisers, better grasses and legumes, and management appropriate to the pastures. Shortage of water was, in many places, a limiting factor, but if efforts to find water were successful a greater area could be brought into production.

Although agriculture was the basis of the economic system of the islands, the people considered improvement of facilities for agriculture were of little interest compared with the education of the young, and medical and health services. Mr Tiller said. A change of outlook was necessary, especially in view of the rapidly increasing population, the trend towards production of crops for export, and the increasing effect of plant pests and diseases. "The need for research and development in agriculture is not widely recognised," said Mr Tiller, “but the D.S.IJi. has helped In the control of insect and fungus pests, and in the conduct of soli surveys."