The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has hosted a groundbreaking workshop on the early detection of palm weevils, one of the most destructive pests threatening Ghana’s oil palm and coconut sectors.
The event brought together experts, researchers, and key industry stakeholders to explore innovative strategies for tackling this challenge.
Distinguished participants included CSIR Director-General, Dr. Paul Bossu, Managing Director of CSIR-Oil Palm Research Institute (Dr. Isaac Danso), and Dr. Hasitha, among others.
Their presence underscored the national importance of the initiative in safeguarding Ghana’s plantations, rural livelihoods, and export-driven economy.
The workshop featured knowledge-sharing sessions, live demonstrations, and technical discussions on practical solutions to strengthen early detection and management of palm weevils.
In his keynote address, Dr. Paul Bossu stressed the urgency of the problem:
“The red palm weevil and related invasive pests pose a significant threat to Ghana’s coconut and oil palm sectors, which are vital for rural livelihoods, food security, and the export economy. Left undetected, these pests can cause devastating losses and undermine plantation sustainability. This project, leveraging AI-driven bioacoustics and multi-modal sensing technologies, represents a shift towards proactive surveillance. By detecting infestations early, farmers can take timely action to reduce losses and protect their livelihoods.”
The initiative is part of a joint scientific project involving CSIR, Embrapa (Brazil), and Permia Sensing (UK), with sponsorship from UK Innovates.
It seeks to address longstanding challenges such as adulterated planting materials, pest infestations, and diseases, which traditional control methods have failed to contain.
Elizabeth Tettey, a lead researcher, explained the significance of the breakthrough:
“Considering the nature of the insect, it lives inside the trunk of the palm. By the time damage is visible, it is often too late. What we are doing now is developing the ability to detect the insect within the palm before it causes any harm.”
The project will soon enter its pilot phase, enabling farmers to directly benefit from the technology.
According to Dr. Isaac Danso, the innovation is designed to be cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and health-conscious:
“This solution will empower farmers to manage their crops sustainably while lowering costs and protecting the environment.”
With this pioneering step, Ghana is positioning itself as a leader in sustainable pest management, ensuring the long-term resilience of its oil palm and coconut industries.
Story Written By Danquah Enock idan, Onua Tv
