DA-Davao allots P102M vs Panama disease

THE Department of Agriculture in Davao Region poured a total of P102.2 million for the year 2015 and 2016 to counter and manage the effects of banana Fusarium Wilt or the Panama disease.

Virgilio Gutierrez, DA regional science research specialist and banana Fusarium Wilt focal person, said that the budget will be allocated for the agriculture department’s High Value Crops Development Program’s –Package of Assistance for Management and Control of Banana Fusarium Wilt.

“These budget is focused more on the small banana growers with a maximum of 10,000 hectares (has) and below,” he said.

According to the DA data, at present, there are already a total of 15,500 hectares of banana affected by Fusarium Wilt in Davao Region.

Most affected province is Davao del Norte followed by Compostela Valley, Davao City, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental.

DA has assisted over 700 small farmers over the disease problem and a total of 22, 000 MATS/ hills (mother plants and sucker) already availed its eradication program, one of the package of interventions the DA has.

For the eradication program, only banana farms with five percent and below Fusarium Wilt infection per area planted with a maximum of 100 mats of banana fusarium infected per hectare/farmer can avail. The eradication can only be started upon the validation of the plant pathologist.

Also, cash for work amounting to P500 per mat will be given to farmers as a form of incentive but after the eradication and second validation of plant pathologist assigned in the area.

Aside from eradication, the department’s Package of Assistance for Management and Control of Banana “Fusarium Wilt,” also includes the crop shifting, distribution of GCTCVB 219 and Trichoderma distribution.

For crop shifting, only banana farms which have five percent and above Fusarium wilt infection in one hectare area/farm can avail. Seedlings of cacao, coffee, corn and assorted vegetables are the planting materials that will be provided.

“The situation is alarming but we are doing the measures to counter the effects of these diseases threatening the industry, also there are still many small growers and farmers who are not aware of the ill effects of the disease,” Gutierrez said.

As a measure, DA is conducting a series of forums attended by small farmers especially those located in the far-flung areas. They also disseminated flyers and primers for the farmers’ information.

Meanwhile, in a story published in DA’s Uhay publication last year, small banana rowers expressed their optimism over new banana varieties resistant to Fusarium Wilt, the GCTCV 219.

The variety is also acceptable by the market as Japan has found the GCTCV 219 to be sweeter than the locally produced Gran Naine (Cavendish bananas).

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph