By Prior Beharry
THE Ministry of Agriculture Land and Fisheries is leading in the fight against a tomato leaf mining moth called Tuta absoluta.
In a release on Friday, the ministry stated that it has made an urgent call to farmers, stakeholders, and the public to unite against the relentless tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta.
It stated that solanaceous crops are a group of plants including a number of agricultural crops, medicinal plants, spices, weeds, and ornamentals.
The ministry stated that it was spearheading the implementation of comprehensive measures to combat this menace.
It stated that over the last decade, Tuta absoluta has emerged as a significant global threat, infesting 60% of tomato crops worldwide.
In 2022, it reached Trinidad, prompting immediate action from the ministry, the release stated.
In 2023, our Research Division, in alignment with the vision of Senator the Honourable Kazim Hosein, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, implemented an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan, incorporating innovative strategies such as surveillance and pheromone mass trapping.
Agriculture Minister Kazim Hosein said, “In the face of challenges, the ministry remains steadfast in its commitment to the resilience and sustainability of our agricultural sector.
“The threat posed by Tuta absoluta requires a unified response, and we urge farmers and the public to join us in implementing the recommended strategies.
“Our collective efforts can overcome this agricultural menace, ensuring the continued prosperity of our tomato crops and safeguarding the livelihoods of our farming communities.”
The ministry urged farmers to remain vigilant as teh country enters the dry season.
It recommends the adoption of proven Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies to safeguard crops and ensure sustainable agricultural practices.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Strategies Include:
Public Awareness Campaigns: Farmer training sessions, virtual digital recordings, flyers, posters, brochures, factsheets;
Cultural Practices: Crop rotation, field sanitation;
Pheromone Trapping & Chemical Control: Refer to attachments for detailed guidelines;
Natural Enemy Identification: Ongoing scouting for natural enemies; and
Monitoring and Surveillance Activities: Continuous efforts to stay informed.
For more information and to report sightings contact the Research Division, Entomology Unit at 646-4335/6.
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