Coconut under threat

Effect of RTM on coconut. Photo: University of Florida
Effect of RTM on coconut. Photo: University of Florida

A crop that contributes over $5-million to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) every year, could be seriously affected by pests including the Red Palm Mite (RPM), Head of the Plant Protection and Quarantine Department Services, Ryan Anselm, has said.

The RPM was first seen in Dominica in 2008 and is now present around the island.

Addressing the start of a week-long workshop on the disease on Tuesday, Anselm said the Coconut industry is being affected by a series of pests, and the RPM could prove disastrous.

“It has the potential to cause serious economic problems, in combination with other pests: scales insect, white flies and even the lethal yellowing that is not present in Dominica; palm weevil that is in Aruba. So we are mindful of these, not only the pests that are present, but the pests that are threatening our shores,” he said.

Since the pest was detected in Dominica, the Ministry of Agriculture, through support from government, has been putting programs in place to manage the RPM.

“I also want to inform that we are not only working and putting management for the Red Palm Mite, but a complex pest problem in the coconut industry…” he said.

Amselm also said a recent study conducted by a Jamaican Consultant, indicated that Dominica’s coconut trees are very old and very tall and a rehabilitation process should be undertaken with the planting of new plant varieties.

He mentioned that over the years, the Government of Dominica have spent approximately $1.4-million in research activities and working with natural enemies to control the RPM.

“We are very excited about the project,” he stated.

Following the workshop, Anselm along with some staff members will leave for Brazil to receive training.

Some of the objectives of the workshop include: training of laboratory technicians, extension officers and small farmers in the management of Red Palm Mite and other pests in the coconut industry, present methods of the management and monitoring of the RPM, the impacts caused by this pest in Brazil and Dominica and to discuss the activities of research and technology transfer in Dominica.

The workshop is part of a US$ 80,000 Project which is being funded by Market Places (research institute), EMBRAPA (Brazilian public agricultural research corporation) CABI (Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau International) and Dominica with a EC$ 200,000 input.

The project aims to develop an integrated pest management package to protect small holder farmers against the RPM in Dominica and Brazil.

Red Palm Mite (RPM) originally from Asia reached the Americas in 2004. It is a small red arthropod and the adults are 0.3 mm long and can be seen with the help of a magnifier and your eye.

They live primarily on the lower surface of leaves and their life cycle is between 22-44 days with oviposition period of 2 to 17 days and a fertility rate of 7 eggs per female.

They attack coconut plants which has been described as their “preferred host” as well as palms, bananas and others.

They cause yellowing and leaf necrosis and death of young plants.

 

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18 Comments

  1. CLARITY
    August 5, 2015

    ADVISE ..as the crops of the 70s are now the aged cococutts of this generation

  2. CLARITY
    August 5, 2015

    I can recall that under the Labour administration in the 7o,s then MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE OJ SERAPHIN LED the coconut rehabilattion program.
    A very aggressive project through CIDA which led to feeder road construction through a heavy equipment project for farmers as well as agricultural inputs and extension officers focused on the prodcution of cococnuts ,’This led to a very successful program of crop diversification as well as the increase of coconut production for both fresh cococonut export under license to the UK as well as copra production for the DCP now owned by Colgate Palmo;live
    Dominca then enjoyed a boom in coconut prodcution as well as the developmnt of DCP as a caribbean leader through the oils and fats regime of support from CARICOM leading to the emergence of the mutmillionaire status of the NASSIEFS and DOUGLAS as well as improved financial status of farmers particularly in the northeast .
    Maybe OJ and COLIN BULLY then chief of Agriculture can…

  3. Annon
    August 5, 2015

    Oh, My, God……how much was budgetted for agriculture? Tourism is soo delicate. Just ask St. Croix, still trying to revive their tourism from incidents way back in the 70’s. Invest in agriculture my friends, it’s the best and smartest thing to do!

  4. BLESSED
    August 5, 2015

    this is bigger than skerrit ,bigger than you bigger than me,coconut is being recognize more as a healthy food and the production of the Caribbean must be crippled in order for the nations inn charge to make max profits.wake up black people wake up

  5. The Real Facts - ON
    August 4, 2015

    As the years progress there will be all sorts of occurrences. What we love most will be attacked. It is a sort of a scourge, calling the people to worship, prayer, penance, sacrifice and good works. Stirring them up. Some lack godly enlightenment to know that. The first thing they do is blame the government rather than themselves, their lifestyle and what comes out of their minds through their fingers to the keyboard.
    The eyes of Our Lord Jesus Christ are on every step we take and every word we state. Keep this in mind when some of you wrongly accuse your government.
    Know too, the government did not create the world nor you nor the atmosphere. He does not make the sun shine and the rain to fall.
    What have you done for God through your brothers and sisters and for your country? You cannot blame one person when all you do is to sit back and criticize. Do you not know that as nationals, you the critics of all contribute to Dominica’s dilemma?

  6. truththe
    August 4, 2015

    The Lord is calling all to put on their sack clothes and to Repent to save the country.
    That is from the highest to the lowest. There is a famine facing our country.

  7. KoKo Naughts
    August 4, 2015

    Ok, if I was a conspiracy theorist I would say all the big corporations in developed countries are sending agents to different corners of the globe to spread these diseases to take the competition out u know. BUT, I am not a conspiracy theorist so forget I say that.

    • irie
      August 6, 2015

      Thank you for this…the monsanto effect…I don’t know when my people will open their eyes..first our bananas, now our coconuts…it was only a matter of time. our pure nature isle is now contaminated. Heavy heart…huge sigh. :(

  8. Ideal
    August 4, 2015

    What is happening to Poor Dominica. first it was banana and now coconut. Are these man made pests. Our people are suffering enough and now the two main crops are dying. I am wondering what is next. Where are all these diseases coming from and are they also affecting the others islands too. I know the government wants to kill agriculture. This is very suspicious.

    • The Real Facts - ON
      August 4, 2015

      Why would you state that the government wants to kill agriculture? I do think you made an unfair statement.
      Agriculture contributes to the bread and butter of especially the farmers. I do not think there is a government who would ever want to kill it as you stated.

  9. truth
    August 4, 2015

    skeritt have brought a curse to our beautiful country,
    everything is going wrong under labour, all diseases , Mountain chicken extinct 70 percent of our young men ,in drugs, 50 percent of young women in prostitution, 90 percent of farmers now have nothing to do,and is now begging , p0verty has increased,drastically ,,middle class have now become poor, and there is much more to come,
    saying ,Thank gOD for skeritt means,
    Thank GOD for destruction ,
    for when you think you in heaven ,You living in hell

    • The Real Facts - ON
      August 4, 2015

      The poor man. Such is your disdain. You are really accusing him of something he is not responsible for.
      You should examine your conscience and see whether you are living in faith (St. Paul) and according to God’s Commandments. You appear to forget yourself.
      There is a lot of sinning in Dominica. Just look around you commencing with you and what is imbedded in your heart, mind and soul. One day you will be judged for what you stated and for other matters.
      Nature is taking its course. This should be a wake-up call for you to strive to do better in the Lord, for your nation and nationals.
      Whatever comes, you will be in it and will feel it. So cease your hatred and accusation and commence praying fervently. This is what is expected of you.

      • sim7
        August 5, 2015

        Facts On. You remind me of Pat Robertson in the USA who blame the Haitians for the earthquake, by saying they had negotiated earlier with the Devil. For god’s sake get real. Dominicans Learn problem solving techniques, so when the problems come you will be empowered to resolve them. Stop believing in ghost, fairies, warlocks and the like and make problem solving and community cooperation evergreen.

  10. grell
    August 4, 2015

    God is starting his plague on our corrup country,if the people wont get Skerrit out,then the almighty will surely do his work,the country is being ruled by a dictator and his corrupt followers.

    • The Real Facts - ON
      August 4, 2015

      You are adding to the corruption and by also being judgmental. When will you learn to be kind? Do you not know that your attitude is one of the causes of Dominica’s problems?

  11. Dr. Henry Mountjoy
    August 4, 2015

    DDT – a disaster for DCA – was replaced by \’roundup\’, a Monsanto product. Remember that CNCDs are rife in Dominica. Why is that? Isn\’t our diet fantastic – the envy of the world? Well, it is.

    But work out \’gyphosate\’ (as found in roundup) – a deadly element found in weedkillers used widely in DCA – check this out:-

    1) http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/lethality-roundup-weedkiller-may-extend-beyond-plants-humans-study-shows

    2) Monsanto\’s Roundup Ready Herbicide is More Toxic than DDT
    articles.mercola.com/sites/…/dr-don-huber-interview-part-2.aspx

    Jan 15, 2012 … Dr. Don Huber discusses how Monsanto\’s Roundup Ready herbicide produces genetically engineered foods and why it is more toxic than DDT.
    From Agent Orange to Pesticides.

    As for CNCDs – ie, high-blood pressure, check this out: http://ecowatch.com/2014/04/18/monsantos-roundup-herbicide-in-soy/. Remember the peddlers of roundup work in the traditional way of the elites:-
    1) problem (the…

  12. LANSAL
    August 4, 2015

    Dominica is under attack because of all the immoral, illegal and unspiritual karma we Dominicans invite into our land.

    • me
      August 4, 2015

      Growing up as children (80’s) I can remember some coconut (tree) leaves were like this. It amazes me that it’s only now some of you are noticing changes in the environment.

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