Dominica : Dominican citrus is under serious threat, according to Ministry of Agriculture officials.
They are reporting that a deadly disease has been discovered, with the “Citrus Greening Disease” already affecting the island’s citrus production.
According to Plant Protection Officer, Ryan Anselm, the disease was discovered in Dominica recently and could have been brought into the country illegally by an individual.
“Citrus greening is one of the world’s major citrus diseases and is very dangerous. It is transmitted by a vector and we intercepted that vector since 2007 however, the disease was officially confirmed late this month. The disease is here and we need to put measures in place to sustain the citrus industry,” he explained.
Anselm expects the disease to enter the island more frequently “because of the ease of travel and the movement of people”.
He indicated that efforts to tackle the problem would include trying to manage the vector.
“We do not have the vector in very high population so we will manage the vector by multiple parasites and other insects”.
He said strict quarantine measures will also be put in place to restrict the movement of plants from one area to the other.
“We will also put strict certification procedures in place. We already have the citrus certification programme so that is positive news,” he added.
Anselm said the ministry of agriculture will also develop standards and procedures for surveying.
“We also have to train the farmers in disease management and identification. Everyone needs to play their part,” he said.
The agriculture official has explained that plants affected by the disease will have a yellowish colour.
Anselm said the disease has forced the shutdown of several citrus operations around the Caribbean and Dominica’s economy could suffer “if that were to happen to us”.
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