Plantain farmers hit by infestation

Sep 26, 2009 News

…Agriculture Ministry ‘studying’ the issue

Minister Persaud interacts with farmers in Tuschen Backlands.

Plantain farmers in Rosenanti Tuschen Backlands, East Bank Essequibo are being severely affected by Sigatoka disease which has taken over their farms.
The farmers, through representation from People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) Member of Parliament, Mervin Williams, raised this issue with Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, yesterday during a farmers’ meeting in the community.
In response to farmers, Persaud said that the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation is currently conducting some studies into the disease.
He explained that a consultant was in the country for two weeks to analyze the situation. At present, the Ministry is trying to get more resources to better understand the disease.
“I suggest that very soon we will get on top of it. The technical staff will be doing a workshop with all the plantain farmers in the area and looking at preventative steps they can take… but really there is only one way you can deal with this problem and that is to destroy.”
According to Persaud, his officers from the Agriculture Ministry are presently working on a programme to keep the infestation in one area rather than having it moved to other critical areas.
“We will first diagnose the problem… and try to get some suckers and other support for the farmers.”
Minister Persaud said that this situation only exists in the Tuschen area, and as such, he urged farmers not to move their suckers out of the area.