Rat problem in Fiji’s copra industry

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A Fiji copra plantation. Picture:www.fijimarinas.com

Saturday May 2, 1964

In 1964, rats were a major problem in Fiji’s coconut industry, according to two experienced planters then. Mr W.G.MacKay, who was for many years on Nacaugai Estate on Taveuni, said the pests were among the greatest “single cause of loss in the industry”.

Mr S.H.Wilson of Oneva Estate in Savusavu told The Fiji Times rats “destroyed between 20 and 50 per cent of coconuts in various areas”.

Mr Wilson estimated the total annual loss of copra through rat infestation at more than 800 tons worth. Based on 1964 prices, this amounted to 400,000 pounds.

He said much of the good results reaped from the industry’s coconut planting subsidy scheme would be lost if the destruction continued.

He urged a large scale distribution of metal bands that could be fastened around trees to stop rats from reaching the green nuts.

Mr Wilson said it was not only the coconut industry that was threatened by rats.

“They were attacking cocoa trees and could do even more damage there, as the trees were easier to climb and the pods were softer than nuts.”

The director of Agriculture, Mr J.A.Sandys, said yesterday his department had been experimenting with bands of aluminium of various gauges and was also trying a type of plastic in the hope that this would be cheaper than aluminium.

Mr Sandys said the aluminium bands would probably cost about 1 shilling sixpence.

Rats damage coconuts by gnawing on trunks, fruits and palm flowers too.

The latter makes the palm more susceptible to secondary infections such as disease and insects.

Rats spoil copra and coconut products too when they discharge their waste on them.

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