10 Belizeans attend International Forum for Prevention & Containment of Banana Fusarium Wilt in Honduras

Photo Credit: MAFSE

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Ten Belizeans who work in agriculture are in Honduras attending an International Forum and Actual Simulation for the Prevention and Containment of the Banana Fusarium Wilt FOC R4T.

The Banana Fusarium Wilt FOC R4T is a deadly disease that destroys banana plants to the point that the Central American countries are involved in regional efforts with the objective of containing the spread through cautionary phytosanitary measures.

“It’s spread could mean devastation for the banana industry,” MAFSE said.

“So far Belize is free of the disease, but it has been identified in areas of Colombia and Venezuela.”

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, the forum is a two-day training program on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 13-14, in San Manuel in the Department of Cortés where the banana plantations are monitored via satellite.

“The participating Belizeans are from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, BAHA, OIRSA, ICDF Belize, UB and the Belize Banana Growers Association,” MAFSE said.

“Experts from Colombia, Costa Rica, Honduras and ICDF Taiwan shared technical knowledge on FOC R4T, biosecurity measure programs for banana farms, the use of drones and canine units in the detection of FOC R4T at ports of entry, and the collection of samples for laboratory diagnosis using LAMP or PCR among other.”

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