Pest, Insect control workshop for farmers

Over 40 farmers from the North Leeward area gathered at the Golden Grove Learning Resource Centre on Tuesday March 20 to look at measures to control a number of insect pests and rodents that affect their crops annualy.

The session began at 9am; the farmers discussed plans to implement an integrated pest management programme for sweet potato and eddoe. This would include stringent field sanitation measures, chemical control and a step up with other management measures used by the farmers.{{more}}

According to Abigail LaBoarde, Extension Officer in the Root Crop Unit, farmers are now facing decreases in their yields due to pests, and measures must be taken to remedy the situation.

Personnel from the Caribbean Agricultural Research Development Institute (CARDI), the Vector Control Unit in the Ministry of Health, and the Plant Protection and Quarantine Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture were involved.

After the indoor session the party went to nearby farm for practical demonstrations.