Agricultural Biosecurity in the Pacific Region

Food security is a primary concern for the remote communities that comprise the Pacific Islands, Countries, and Territories (PICTs). Traditional crops that are essential for the economic and cultural health of these communities are typically understudied and can be highly susceptible to the introduction of foreign pests and diseases. Most PICTs have very limited resources available on-site for agricultural pest or disease detection and diagnostics and are reliant on technical expertise that may be thousands of miles away. The University of Hawaii’s Agrosecurity Laboratory was established in 2013 and represents a regional resource for terrestrial plant health. Over the past decade this laboratory has helped resolve agricultural trade disputes, provided on-ground pest management consultation and services, coordinated regional pest and disease surveys, and provided educational opportunities for students coming from PICTs. In the coming years, our program will expand into biocontrol research on pests of regional importance.