NAREI distributes chemical to combat red palm mite pest

The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) has commenced phase two of the distribution of chemicals to coconut farmers, whose farms are affected by the red palm mite (RPM) pest.

Large red palm mites
Large red palm mites

This exercise specially targets farmers who did not benefit during the first phase of distribution. Thus far, over 70 farmers on the East Coast Demerara (ECD), and Pomeroon, Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) have benefited.
Somanti Rajkumar is one of the many farmers operating in the Pomeroon, who recently received chemical to treat coconut palms. Earlier this year, he attended a training demonstration conducted by NAREI aimed at educating farmers on how to treat the coconut palms with the chemical.
Rajkumar’s farm up until two weeks ago was covered with mostly dried palm leaves, irregular shaped nuts and many fruitless trees.
In fact, production had been reduced from 1000 to 400 nuts annually.
However within days of applying the chemical, the unhealthy branches fell; and greener healthy palm trees are now visible.
Rajkumar is hoping that his farm would soon totally recover from the infestation. While he intercrops with banana and bora, coconut is his main money earner. The infestation resulted in his household income diminishing significantly, as such, he is thankful for the assistance.
Another beneficiary in the Pomeroon is Balram Rajkumar. He is also grateful for the assistance from NAREI in combating the infestation.
He has 30 acres under coconut cultivation, which he supplies to agro-processors on the Essequibo Coast. As such, his nuts are expected to be of high quality and a certain size. But the infestation by the RPM on his plantation had affected the quality of his nuts, causing him to loose financially.
He too is hoping that production would increase by early next year.
Several coconut farmers operating in Hand-en-Veldt, Helena #1, Helena #2, Unity, and Supply, ECD, also benefited from this second phase of chemical distribution.
After 30 years of planting coconuts, about two years ago Deodat Rambarak became aware of the red palm mite pest. He is a small-scale coconut farmer operating in Hand-en-Veldt. Prior to the infestation, Rambarak’s farm produced 3000 nuts annually. This figure had decreased, resulting in him falling short of his target to supply the agro-processor.
The mite pest killed three of his coconut palms. This is a blow to the farmer’s operations since his farm comprises only tall coconut palms. “I only plant the five-year-old palms so when one plant dies it really hard because you have to wait a long time for it to grow back,” he said.
The presence of the pest was first observed in Wakenaam, Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara). NAREI had quarantined the island and placed preventive measures in neighbouring Region Two. But, those efforts did not stop the pest from reaching the Pomeroon and other farming communities on the Essequibo Coast.