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Thursday, October 27, 2005
Viruses threaten Benguet's 'hanging green gold'
By Jane Cadalig
BAGUIO CITY -- To boost the local chayote industry, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is eyeing an institutionalized pest management program for the crop.
The plan, which is yet to be worked out with the concerned agencies, would be DA's solution to the problem on the existence of a virus that is threatening the chayote industry.
Dr. Julio Ligat, director of the Institute of Highland Farming Systems and Agro-forestry of Benguet State University, recently revealed two types of virus that are affecting chayote, which stakeholders claim, is the "hanging green gold" of Benguet.
Ligat identified these viruses as the chayote mosaic tymo-virus and the squash leaf curl.
The crop is affected with these diseases if the leaves and the fruit manifest yellowish spots or if the chayote leaves wrinkle accompanied by deformation of the fruit, Ligat explained during Wednesday's "Kapihan sa Benguet" forum.
Ligat suggested that strict quarantine procedures should be imposed to avoid the spread of the virus.
Patricio Ananayo, chief of the agri-business and marketing assistant of DA, also said one of the best recommended solutions to the problem would be through an institutionalized Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program to counter these viruses.
"We are looking towards the possibility of developing a strong IPM program for chayote, but we need to coordinate with other concerned agencies so we could come up with the appropriate technology," Ananayo said in the same forum.
Concerned stakeholders advised farmers to maintain the practice of growing chayote organically.
The Provincial Government of Benguet is coming up with a festival featuring chayote, on the celebration of the province's 105th foundation anniversary next month.
Lita Colting, acting chair of the Provincial Tourism Council, said the Chayote Festival is but one of the activities that intend to promote tourism in Benguet, as well as to enhance the commercialization and development of the crop as a major industry of the province. (Sun.Star Baguio/Sunnex)
(October 27, 2005 issue)
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