Targeted Trunk Injection (TTI) is an insecticide application, that is part of PNGOPRA Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Oil Palm. Apart from biological and cultural control, insecticide application through TTI is a form of chemical control and is the last option that, PNGOPRA recommends to its stakeholders for pest control in oil palm. Chemical treatment recommendations are based on pest damage levels through extensive surveys and the potential risks of economic yield losses. TTI is commonly used to reduce infestation of two major insect defoliators of oil palm known as the Stick insect (Eurycanthae calcarata) and Sexava (Segestes decoratus and Segestidea defoliaria).
TTI Operational safety and health training are normally conducted by PNGOPRA Crop Protection Section, for its stakeholders. The training covers the following topics: tools and PPE needed for the operation, TTI procedure, and operational health and safety procedures in the field.
From1st to the 2nd of May 2024, a team of Entomology staff from the Crop Protection Section led by Richard Dikrey (Research Officer) accompanied by David Panu (Jr. Research officer) and Seno Nyaure (Field Supervisor) conducted training for the Plantation and the Smallholders’ departments of Hargy Oil Palm Limited.,
On the 1st of May (Figure 1), the first TTI training session was held at the Sir Brown Bai Learning and Training Centre at Hargy with the Hargy Plantation group led by Mr Rodney Wariengra (Plantation Field Superintendent). There were 20 participants, 5 were recruits. On the 2nd of May (Figure 2) the second TTI training session was held at the same venue with the Smallholder group of Hargy led by Mr. Jude Vitikut (Smallholders Agricultural Advisory Services). Thus, the Smallholder group had 32 participants with 3 recruits.
During the first part of the training, Richard Dikrey presented the different IPM approaches, and when to use insecticide applications through TTI. Also, the steps used to carry out TTI the safety protocols when handling chemicals and the importance of wearing PPE were covered. After the presentation, participants were put into groups and feedback from each group on the process of TTI was discussed.
The second part of the TTI training was carried out in one of the Hargy Fields. Seno Nyaure (PNG OPRA Entomology Field Supervisor) supervised the practical part of TTI, instructing participants on the steps of the safe procedure of TTI. At the end of the TTI demonstration, evaluation and feedback were provided by the Entomology unit’s team to some of the steps and corrections were made, respectively.
Mr Jude Vitikut from the HOPL Smallholder Department acknowledges the training by commenting that all steps covered during the training were clear, however at times were not followed by the TTI teams. He further elaborated that the training serves as a refresher for most trainees. He concluded and thanked the PNGOPRA Crop Protection team for conducting this important training. Moreover, Mr Rodney Wariengra from the Planation group also thanked the Crop Protection team for the training and emphasized to trainees that standards are to be maintained during the treatment process.
