Dominica is putting the necessary practices in place to prevent the spread of a pest known as the ‘Red Palm Weevil’ which is said to be dangerous to coconuts and palms.
The Red Palm Weevil, which has not been detected in Dominica, was brought into the Caribbean in 2009 through the Dutch islands of Aruba and Curaçao.
Agricultural Scientists of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Lionel Wayne De Chi, has handed over material to the head of the Plant Protection Unit, Ryan Anselm to begin surveillance for the pest.
“We have constructed and fabricated the trapping material and we have delivered the material to Dominica to start their surveillance of the Red Palm Weevil and that is why I am here,” he told Dominica News Online. “The trap is to conduct the surveillance activity to determine if it is safe or not.”
According to him, the USDA has established a forum to combat pests called the Caribbean Plant Health Director’s Forum which consists of six working groups.
“One of the working groups is called a Palm Pest Working group,” he explained.
De Chi stated that at the USDA 7th meeting of the Caribbean Plant Health Forum, a decision was taken to survey the entire Caribbean region.
And according to him five countries have been trained to identify the Weevil and Dominica was one of the first countries in the first phase.
He mentioned also that a Dino-Lite microscope, which operates via the internet, will be use to detect the pest.
“It is not a traditional microscope…,” he noted.
The USDA has already trained two technicians from the Plant Protection Unit here on the identification of the Weevil, the surveillance of it and to develop a surveillance protocol.
Minister of Agriculture, Johnson Drigo thanked the USDA for its continued support and capacity building in pest identification, surveillance and training.
The last USDA forum was held in the Cayman Islands and the next will be held in Aruba.
DNO some of us beg to differ that the Red Palm Mite is in fact in Dominica … FOR SOME TIME NOW. Just look at the redness of coconuts leaves in Kalinago Country, Castle Bruce and elsewhere and you will see the level of infestation. Again, it begs to ask where did this info come from “The Red Palm Weevil, which has not been detected in Dominica, was brought into the Caribbean in 2009 through the Dutch islands of Aruba and Curaçao.”
ADMIN: The ministry of agriculture said the pest has not been detected on the island. If you know the contrary, please contact the ministry.
ADMIN in truth and in fact a slight confusion between Red Palm MITE and Red Palm WEEVIL. Your response led me to REREAD and I stand corrected.
Oh boy not again! Well Dominica fini bat!
Bloody hell man, the next time I go home, I won’t be able to eat banana and plantain because of black sikatoka. Now we have this bug that might attack coconut. What next, mango asks guava. I best walk with my own fruits man
You will not be allowed to enter with them