TR4 Taskforce Takes Awareness Campaign To SLASPA
July 27, 2023
As part of the ongoing island-wide Tropical Race 4 Awareness campaign undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Rural Development a sensitization forum engaging Saint Lucia Air and Sea Port Authority (SLASPA) staff was held on Monday, July 24, 2023, at the SLASPA conference room.
The focus of the activity was to create heightened awareness and engage SLASPA staff in early detection and preventative measures of the TR4 pathogen under the guidance of TR4 Committee Chair Winston Elliot.
“An awareness program for all relevant stakeholders like yourselves, Farmers, Customs Staff, and stevedores is necessary to prevent the introduction and spread of the Fusarium Wilt. When stakeholders are aware they can contribute substantially to early detection of likely detection, surveillance reporting and managing this pest,” noted Chair of the TR4 Committee Winston Elliot.
Seizing the opportunity to convey the importance of a pathogen-free Agricultural Sector in stabilizing the livelihood of farmers and the maintenance of a sustainable food security system is Director of Agriculture Dr. Auria King-Cenac.
“TR4 not only threatens our food security but also the livelihood of millions of people globally who rely on bananas and plantain as cash crops and our farmers, and their Families are also not spared. As soil-born fungus TR4 is recognized as one of the most destructive pests in the history of Agriculture and the world’s greatest threat to Banana and Plantain production,” remarked, Director of Agriculture Dr. Auria King – Cenac.
To date the pathogen has not been detected in Saint Lucia however, taking no chances and on heightened alert is SLASPA Director of Sea Ports Adrian Hilaire who embraced the coordinated communication and surveillance strategies between the Agricultural Ministry and SLASPA.
“The Saint Lucia Air and Sea Port Authority (SLASPA) gives its commitment and support. Management and staff will be working very closely to achieve this. We will do everything that we must do to give support. We have seen the decline of the Banana industry and the threat for Saint Lucia is that we do not have very large farms. Our farms are very small so if a group is impacted intervention becomes difficult because it would affect the livelihoods of more households.” SLASPA Director of Sea Ports, Adrian Hilaire.
TR4 Taskforce Takes Awareness Campaign To SLASPA
The Ministry of Agriculture continues to engage key stakeholders around the island in the development and implementation of Tropical Race 4 preventative strategies.
The focus of the activity was to create heightened awareness and engage SLASPA staff in early detection and preventative measures of the TR4 pathogen under the guidance of TR4 Committee Chair Winston Elliot.
“An awareness program for all relevant stakeholders like yourselves, Farmers, Customs Staff, and stevedores is necessary to prevent the introduction and spread of the Fusarium Wilt. When stakeholders are aware they can contribute substantially to early detection of likely detection, surveillance reporting and managing this pest,” noted Chair of the TR4 Committee Winston Elliot.
Seizing the opportunity to convey the importance of a pathogen-free Agricultural Sector in stabilizing the livelihood of farmers and the maintenance of a sustainable food security system is Director of Agriculture Dr. Auria King-Cenac.
“TR4 not only threatens our food security but also the livelihood of millions of people globally who rely on bananas and plantain as cash crops and our farmers, and their Families are also not spared. As soil-born fungus TR4 is recognized as one of the most destructive pests in the history of Agriculture and the world’s greatest threat to Banana and Plantain production,” remarked, Director of Agriculture Dr. Auria King – Cenac.
To date the pathogen has not been detected in Saint Lucia however, taking no chances and on heightened alert is SLASPA Director of Sea Ports Adrian Hilaire who embraced the coordinated communication and surveillance strategies between the Agricultural Ministry and SLASPA.
“The Saint Lucia Air and Sea Port Authority (SLASPA) gives its commitment and support. Management and staff will be working very closely to achieve this. We will do everything that we must do to give support. We have seen the decline of the Banana industry and the threat for Saint Lucia is that we do not have very large farms. Our farms are very small so if a group is impacted intervention becomes difficult because it would affect the livelihoods of more households.” SLASPA Director of Sea Ports, Adrian Hilaire.
TR4 Taskforce Takes Awareness Campaign To SLASPA
The Ministry of Agriculture continues to engage key stakeholders around the island in the development and implementation of Tropical Race 4 preventative strategies.
Playlist
1 Videos
Play Video
Facebook
Email
WhatsApp