CABI shares expertise on how to tackle citrus greening disease in the Caribbean

A team of international agricultural scientists has conducted a series of webinars to address the critical issue of citrus greening disease, caused by a bacterium and spread by the citrus psyllid, which is posing a significant threat to citrus production in the Caribbean. The disease, first detected in Brazil in 2005, has spread to most Caribbean countries, impacting key agricultural economies and the global citrus juice market. The collaborative effort, involving CABI, Fundecitrus, and the University of São Paulo-ESALQ, aims to bolster regional capacity to manage the disease through integrated pest management strategies, including the use of safe pesticides, biocontrol agents, and vector alerts. The team emphasized the importance of organization and collaboration among farmers to effectively combat the disease, suggesting a model inspired by Brazil's large-scale citrus farming practices. The efforts include the eradication of infected trees and the introduction of disease-free material, supported by ongoing discussions and potential future collaborations with key regional and international agricultural organizations.