Pomeroon coconut farmers affected by red palm mite

…production dropped significantly – Vilma Da Silva

Production of coconuts in the Pomeroon River, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) area has significantly dropped and, according to large-scale cash crop farmer and Councillor, Vilma Da Silva it was as a result of red palm mite infestation.
This pest, she explained, is taking a toll on coconut estates, and farmers have recorded as much as a 75 per cent decline in production. At the monthly statutory meeting of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) on Tuesday last, Da Silva said that the industry was declining owing to the devastating effects of the mites.

She informed the RDC that coconut cultivation played an integral role in the Region by providing a livelihood for many families in the Pomeroon and opined if attention was not given to farmers, they would be affected economically.
“Urgent attention needs to be given to coconut farmers; rice is always declining and if the coconut industry is affected, it will definitely have a negative effect on the Region’s economy,” Da Silva explained.
She alleged that planting materials were entering the Pomeroon area without any proper quarantine measures. She said when this happened, estates became infected and the diseases were easily spread. The farmer noted that five-year-old coconut plants were predominately affected and trees were bearing less.
RDC Chairman Devanand Ramdatt stressed that the coconut industry was the second leading industry in Region Two and as such, if coconut farmers were affected, the regional economy would suffer. He said he also heard about the infestation and forwarded same to Agriculture Minister Noel Holder.
Government Councillor Naitram, however, told the RDC that National Agricultural Research & Extension Institute (NAREI), Dr Oudho Homenauth informed him that all coconut seeds when imported undergo the necessary quality control procedures before entering Guyana.