By Damion Mitchell , Staff Reporter
Banana farmers have been told to be on the alert for a new disease called 'Moko' that has been found to be deadly to the fruit. Here Freddy Chambers, a backyard farmer, checks on the banana trees he grows at his home on Monroe Road, Liguanea, St. Andrew. His trees have not been affected. - Rudolph Brown/Staff Photographer
AGRICULTURE MINISTER Roger Clarke yesterday outlined several initiatives, aimed at containing the deadly Moko disease detected on five banana farms in St. James.
Addressing a press briefing at the Ministry of Agriculture's Hope Road offices in St. Andrew, Mr. Clarke said that a national plan of action has been drafted, under which all projects to save the $2 billion industry from the devastation of the disease will be executed.
The disease affects bananas and plantains, and already 20 acres of bananas are slated to be destroyed.
A technical team, comprising several specialists from key agencies within the agriculture sector, including the Plant Quarantine/Produce Inspection and the Banana Board Research departments and the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), has also been set up to monitor the situation.
The detection of the disease, which has the potential to wipe out the island's bananas, comes against the background of a sector in decline. Six years ago, bananas were the most lucrative traditional export crop, earning US$33 million, but has been in decline and had been surpassed by coffee.
However, last year, exports totalled just over 15 million pounds, according to figures released yesterday by Minister Clarke. The earnings translate to about US$27 million.
Within a week, the Ministry, under the Plant Quarantine Act will be enacting a Moko disease order to facilitate the plan of action, the Minister said.
The order will designate the districts of Georges Valley, Silver Grove, Vaughnsfield, Phoenix Road and Montpelier in St. James, where the disease has been confirmed, as affected areas.
The Minister said starting this week, ten acres of bananas are to be eradicated in the St. James districts where the disease has been confirmed, in addition to another ten acres of property in close proximity to the communities.
About $4 million has been identified to undertake the eradication exercise.
In the meantime, the Ministry has begun to trace the possible sources of the disease.
Investigations have revealed that in 2001 planting materials were imported from Honduras, one of the countries severely affected by the Moko disease.
According to Carol Thomas, the Chief Plant Quarantine/ Produce Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, local plant quarantine policies stipulate that only tissue-cultured banana plants that have been screened against diseases may be imported.
Officers in her department are reviewing the records of import permits.
The disease is caused by a Ralstoina solanacerum (a bacterium) and affects the entire plant with the leaves becoming yellow and wilted before they finally die along with the rest of the plant.
Moko also affects other crops such as ginger, tomato, cocoa and some weeds.
Gov't outlines plans to save sector from deadly disease
Steps to deal with 'Moko'
Inspect fields carefully each week for symptoms.
If unusual yellowing of leaves or wilting is observed, mark the location and immediately report to the nearest RADA, banana industry or JAS officer/office. Do not touch or disturb the suspected plant.
Do not remove any sucker, corn, fruit or leaf from a field suspected of having the disease.
Disinfect all tools used in your field if you suspect that the disease is present. Use household bleach (one part bleach to nine parts water) after removing any soil or plant remains present on the tool.
Disinfect shoes similarly, when coming from an infested field. A spray bottle will make this easier.
Do not take any of the named host plants or plant parts from St. James and other western parishes to other growing areas of the island.
