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a
omic developng the homeussing other
elopments to
> prospective
at time, the
not declared
eading.
as pointed up
idministrative
uments which
ient’s hometo compound
destroy the
ind resources
‘ the people.
rogram does
: wise use of
ind improveation of the
uance of all
ge and agri-h are part of
plan or an
village comtram. Master
is in its final
ustration is
ilementation
ecommenda-
ty islands in
1ds Districts
iS serious,
eral is nota
the larger
2? areas of
tlement on
for
future
time sup-
lation than
‘ants. Even
e exaggera-
nt popula-
plant pathologist supervise the quar-
tion figures have not yet reachedlevels
anune program and insect pest and
of pre-European times. Perhaps the
most dramatic example of population
decline can be found in Yap where the
present population of 6,870 is only a
plant disease control programs of the
Terntory.
During the year, a complete revision of the Trust Territory pliant and
animal quarantine regulations was
fraction of the estimated pre-European
population. Similar examples can be
given for Ponape, estimated at one
time to have had 35,000, almost
double its present population, and for
the Mariana Islands and Palau. In
Ponape, on Babelthuap Island of
Palau, and in Yap, scores of deserted
village sites can be seen.
accomplished to keep them current
with program and territorial develop-
ment.
Plant quarantine regulations to control accidental introduction or spread
of piant insect pests and diseases are in
ettect. All districts have several agri-
similar breadfruit disease reports have
come from Jaluit Atoll, Kili Island,
Ebon Atoll, and Namorik Atoll in the
Marshalls, Ponape District islands;
Mortlock Islands in Truk; YapIslands:
Guamand Saipan. The disease is a ‘“‘die
back” type with uppermost branches
being affected first, quickly resulting
in complete death of the tree.
The coconut rhinoceros beetle
remains the most serious agricultural
pest
threatening
the
Territory’s
economy, although it has been con-
fined to the Palau District. Controls by
plant quarantine procedures and
techniques. The aim of these courses is
Sanitation and biological means have
been in use for several years and have
reduced the beetle population in
Palau; nevertheless, the coconut palms
there stili suffer considerable damage.
Typhoons in Palau during recent years
have increased this pest’s breeding
grounds—debris and fallen coconut
palms. The Territory participates in
the South Pacific Commission Rhinoceros Beetle Control Project.
out thetr duties in controlling immigrant: pests which endanger the agri-
The melon fly (Dacus cucurbitae)
has been a serious insect pest of the
and other flora tend to protect the soit
Plant diseases have caused serious
from erosion. Severe damage occasionally occurs as in the disastrous E problems in the Territory. A disease
typhoon of 1958 which denuded parts ‘B broke out on cacao trees at Ponape
f and Truk in 1962. It was later idenof Jaluit Atoll, Marshall Islands
tificd as a fungus (Phytopthora
District, of top soil and drastically
# palmivora
changed the configuration of certain
and was arrested by
4% completely cutting out and burning
islandsin this atoll.
4B seriously infected trees. A cont
inuing
"E
Preventive program is required to
Soil
fertility is sufficient for the
hold
.
.
;
.
@the disease in
check.
subsistence farming that is
practiced.
n check
fly eradication program was in effect
Erosion
cultural quarantine inspectors who
conduct inspections of incoming
Erosion is an ever-present problem
in the high islands where heavy rainfall
prevails. Lumbering operations and
intensified agricultural methods of
past administrations stripped certain
planes and surface vessels.
During the past 4 years, 26 quarantine inspectors from the Territory
areas of protective forest cover. “Slash
and burn”agricultural techniques used
on hillsides by indigenous inhabitants
plus accidental fires during dry periods
also have aggravated erosion condi-
tions.
have attended East-West Centersponsored, 3-month training courses in
to train inspectors to properly carry
E
; cultural economy.
On the coral atolls coconut palm
Where intensified cropping is insti- JF
The staff plant Pathologist,
aided
tuted, however, soil amendments must
,
E
by
consultants from the Universities of
be provided to sustain continuous
@@ Hawaii and California, South
Pacific
productive yields.
Plant and Animal Pests and Diseases
4 Commission, and Food and
Agri@ culture Organization, is cont
inuing to
Ym
iMvestigate a serious brea
dfruit dise
ase,
Onvinally reported f,
Under the Director of Agriculture, A@®
i
-&
’
“in Pona¥pe repDistrict.romSj Pingelap Atoll
the staff entomologist
i
and the staff Bf
pe
a Fiscal Year
Part VI~-Economic Advanc
ement ‘ff
a
District. Since that time
19
Marianas. From 1964 to 1967, a fruit
in Saipan, Tinian, Agrihan and Rota,
using the sterile-fly technique and the
male annihilation method. Complete
eradication of this fruit fly was completed in 1967.
The African snail continues to be a
major pest in Ponape, Truk, Palau, and
the Marianas, inhibiting commercial
and subsistence vegetable CIop production andresulting in low economic
returns and a decline in farmer
initiative.
Agricultural Products
Except in the Mariana Islands
District, the principal commercial agricultural product of the Territory is
59
1908
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