Project : Develop use of bio-pesticides, to control sugarcane white grub

Site : Mauritius : Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute (MSIRI)

Rationale : White grub is a sugar cane disease that can be found in Southern Africa and in the Indian Ocean islands such as Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Reunion, Mozambique, Swaziland, etc.

White grub, if not properly controlled, can have an unfavourable influence on sugar cane production and consequently on the sugar industry’s profitability and competitiveness.

The control of the disease involves the use of expensive and environmentally unfriendly chemical pesticides with dangerous impacts on human beings and wildlife.

Objectives : To control and reduce the incidence of sugar cane white grub with cheaper and more environmentally friendly pesticides.

Assumptions/Risks : The main risks and assumptions are presented below:

• Pathogens with a good genetic representivity are found and used as a base for bio-pesticide research.
• Bio-pesticides can be produced and marketed at a low price by chemical or agri-business companies.
• The price of bio-pesticides is economically competitive.
• Local authorities due to environmental and human health protection reasons are supporting the use of bio-pesticides versus chemical ones.

Expected outputs : Bio-pesticides are developed and used in large scale field trials and sugarcane commercial production.

The incidence of white grub is reduced and sucrose yield per hectare per year is improved.

ACP countries concerned : Mauritius and all ACP countries subject to sugarcane white grub