The Research and Development department in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries says it has approached the Food and Agriculture Organization, (FAO) to assist in its fight to control the Beet Army Worm outbreak.
Farmers in St. Elizabeth have lost millions of dollars worth of produce since the re-emergence of the pest in May.
Director of research and development, Dr. Marcia Blair Thomas, says the department has developed a multi-pronged approach to dealing with the pest, one of which is to accept the FAO's offer of assistance
“We have approached the FAO to fund a particular project specifically related to the worm …something similar to what is happening in the citrus industry, we are not just looking at the disease issue but culture, timing , application…..”
Dr. Blair Thomas, who was speaking at the RJR News Forum on Friday said the Research and Development Department is also looking at a bio-control programme to control the Beet Army Worm.
“We have mass reared a naturally recurring enemy of the beet army worm which will help us to control the insect naturally ….so we are looking at bio-control and chemical control options” she said.
The Beat Army Worm attacks vegetable crops such as onions and escallion.
Dr. Marcia Blair Thomas has called on farmers to change the current cultural practices in the rearing of crops.
She said farmers also need to play a role in pest management such as in the use of pesticides and spraying patterns
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