An Australian company which works with coconut farmers in Solomon Islands says climate change is affecting crops, but right now they are faced with bigger problems.
Experts say the Pacific region's coconuts are under threat from rising sea levels, and unpredictable weather patterns as a result of climate change.
But Kokonut Pacific's managing director Richard Etherington said a renewed infestation of rhinoceros beetle was killing large palms and was an immediate serious threat to farmers.
"I'm conscious that there is coastal erosion, there are coconuts planted very close to the sea on the back of beaches. There's probably more immediate challenges, there is an outbreak of the rhinoceros beetle"
Richard Etherington said the beetle burrows into the trees and was able to take out large crops quickly.
He said to deal with the effects of climate change farmers could always plant palms further inland.
The coconut is an important source of livelihood and food security for many Pacific communities. Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades
