15/07/2009 (Solomon Star News) - A RESEARCH project by Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil Plantation (GPPOL) will commence later this year to investigate methods to control a particular disease in oil palm.

The company's General Manager Harry Brock told Solomon Star yesterday that the disease has been around for more than 20 years, and was affecting their products.

"There is a well known fungal disease that causes premature decay of the oil palm,” Mr Brock said.

"We are establishing a research project to look into this disease and to try establish methods of controlling the disease and to look into building a resistance to the disease.

"This is in conjunction with Papua New Guinea (PNG) Oil Palm research Association, ACIAR, and Ministry of Agriculture.

In light of the ongoing problem, Mr Brock said a research project must be set up to control the disease.

He explained a research scientist will be recruited soon to undergo research to find solution for the problem.

"The scientist will be leading a project looking at diseases in oil palm," he said.

However, despite the presence of the disease, production is progressing as normal.