Coconut rhinoceros beetles are now attacking corn plantations on the island of Efate. Photo: Supplied
There are reports from Vanuatu that coconut rhinoceros beetles are now attacking corn plantations on the island of Efate.
Farmers from North Efate said they started to see the beetles devastating their gardens last week.
Some farmers say they have now lost not only all their coconut plantations but now the corn is gone as well.
December is corn harvest month and the Efate farmers expected the crop to provide money for the Christmas and new year celebrations.
They are calling on government agencies to step in and help them save their corn plantations.
As of Tuesday, the Department of Quarantine has yet to find some a solution to combat the rhinoceros beetle issue in the coconut plantations on Efate.
It means coconut trees across the island are dying slowly.
This has resulted in the people of Port Vila and Efate buying dried and green coconut from the islands of Santo and Malekula, two products that have soared in price.
Before the attack from the rhinoceros beetles, a dried coconut would sell at the Port Vila market for 50 vatu (NZ$0.70).
Now the price is 150 vatu (NZ$2.15)