Indonesia to use African weevils to spur oil palm output


Trucks are seen near a palm oil plantation at a village located near Indonesia's projected new capital, known as Nusantara National Capital, in Sepaku, East Kalimantan province, Indonesia - Reuters

JAKARTA: Indonesia is betting on tiny bugs from Africa to help boost its palm oil production, as the broader sector grapples with tightening supply that threatens to keep prices elevated and add to food inflation.

The world’s top grower is planning to introduce around one million of the weevils at some plantations this year to improve pollination and fruit development. Three species collected from Tanzania are expected to arrive at a facility in North Sumatra next month for a series of tests before they are released.

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Indonesia , Malaysia , Africa , weevils , oil palm

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