CARDI approves $7.5m for strategy to manage coconut pests, diseases
The Caribbean Agriculture Research and Development Institute (CARDI) recently approved a proposal for a $7.5m Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Strategy aimed at increasing productivity in Guyana’s coconut industry.
The project is scheduled to commence in July, 2017 and will see improved practices and strategic measures being introduced to tackle pests and diseases plaguing the sector, a release from the Ministry of Agriculture said yesterday.
Chief Executive Officer of NAREI, Dr. Oudho Homenauth said that in order for the coconut industry to maximize coconut output, strong emphasis must be placed on the methods used from the point of planting.
“In order to maximize coconut production, special emphasis should be placed on the methods used from inception of planting to production stage. One such method is the control of pests and diseases. The coconut palm is subjected to various attack of pests and diseases including Red Palm mite, Red palm weevil, Scale insects, whiteflies, coconut Rhinoceros beetle, Coconut eriophyid mite, Coconut mealy bug and Coconut Red Ring just to mention a few. The effects of these pests and diseases on the coconut palms vary and may result in narcosis, defoliation and in severe infestations; reduction in nut size and malformation of nuts. This further hampers the development of the nuts as they would be unable to reach its fullest potential”, he said.
He added that the strategy that was developed specifically for Guyana’s situation, is expected to demonstrate a “complete reduction” in the instances of pests and disease outbreaks which usually result in millions of dollars in damages to these farms.” Dr. Homenauth said.
The release said that Guyana is home to over 25,000 hectares of coconut palms grown in regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10 regions with an average annual production of 92 million nuts. The project is expected to cost approximately $7.5M and will see initial trials being conducted on established farms in the coconut producing regions.