African insects introduced in Jagtial to boost oil palm yield

To improve oil palm yield in Jagtial, the Horticulture Department has released Elaeidobius kamerunicus insects from Africa for pollination. With native pollinators vanishing, officials hope the imported species will enhance fertilisation and fruit formation across 3,000 acres of plantations.

Jagtial: To enhance oil palm yield, the Horticulture Department has introduced insects from Africa for cross-pollination in orchards across the district.

The insects, known as Elaeidobius kamerunicus, have already been released in some fields. Oil palm, cultivated over 3,000 acres in Jagtial three years ago, has now reached the flowering stage. However, natural cross-pollination has been hampered by the disappearance of native insects, with fertilisers and pesticides driving them away from orchards.

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Without proper pollination, yields are likely to decline. To address this, the Horticulture Department, with support from Lohiya Oil Palm Company, is importing the African insects, which play a crucial role in pollination.

Oil palm bunches have both male and female flowers. Drawn by the aroma of male flowers, the insects land on them and collect pollen grains on their bodies. When they later visit female flowers, the pollen is transferred, resulting in fertilisation and the conversion of flowers into fruits. This process also leads to the development of more bunches on trees.

The African insects, measuring about 4 mm in length, were first used to enhance oil palm yield in Malaysia in 1980. Officials are now adopting the same method in Jagtial.

Since many local farmers are unfamiliar with oil palm cultivation, the Horticulture Department and Lohiya group are providing technical and logistical support. The release of these insects has already begun in Mallial, Dharmapuri, Gollapalli, Pegadapalli and other mandals.