The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy, Roland Royer, has put measures in place to eradicate the spread of the Lethal Yellowing Disease (LYD) in coconuts, recently confirmed on the island.
During a press conference, Royer affirmed that the government recognizes the impact on farmers and livelihoods.
“Based on this, the government is implementing several key policy measures”, he said.
“We are actively developing and implementing support measures, including a compensation framework to affected farmers, as well as plans for rehabilitation and replanting using more resilient and suitable varieties,” Royer emphasized.
He added, “We will also continue to strengthen farmer engagement and public awareness as community cooperation is essential to the success of this response.”
The presence of the LYD had been spotted in Woodford Hill, following which authorities “…established designated epididymal ecological zones, including an infected core area and a surrounding buffer zone,” explained the minister.
According to him, containment measures are being strictly enforced within this area, including the systematic removal of infected plants and surveillance to quickly detect and respond to new cases.
“Second, we are implementing movement restrictions for coconuts and palm-planting material in and from affected areas,” Royer revealed. “This is a critical step to prevent the spread of the disease to other parts of the island.”
The Ministry of Agriculture is calling on all farmers, vendors, traders, homeowners, and members of the public to comply fully with these restrictions.
The LYD is described as a devastating affliction caused by a phytoplasma transmitted by leafhoppers and plant hoppers.
The disease leads to the yellowing and drooping of palm fronds, premature dropping of fruits, and the death of the palm within three to six months after infection. It has already caused substantial economic damage in several Caribbean nations and is a significant threat to Dominica’s coconut industry.
Control measures include the use of resistant cultivars, intensified surveillance, and targeted destruction of infected palms to prevent further spread.
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