Jordan: Tomato crop recovers as pest control efforts succeed

Jordan: Tomato crop recovers as pest control efforts succeed

Efforts to eliminate the Tuta absoluta tomato pest along with the recent fall in temperatures have contributed to the recovery of the local tomato crop, a senior official from the Jordanian Farmers Union (JFU) said. JFU President Ahmad Faour told The Jordan Times over the phone Thursday that monitoring and mass trapping efforts to fight the Tuta absoluta or tomato leafminer, a pest that has devastated a substantial part of this year’s production of tomatoes, resulted in a "significant" decline in the insect's population and therefore mitigated damage to crops.

"The effect of the pest on the crop does not exceed 5-10 per cent due to farmers' efforts and the comprehensive plan of the Ministry of Agriculture to eliminate the tomato leafminer using various types of insecticides," Faour indicated. The JFU president explained that farmers in the northern Jordan Valley are currently taking all necessary prevention measures at their tomato farms, which he said are "secure and in a promising condition".

Commenting on the tomato farms in the southern Jordan Valley, Faour pointed out that after many check-up visits to farms in Wadi Araba, Ghor Al Safi and Karama, "it can be said now that the Tuta absoluta no longer exists there".
Faour noted that the tomato harvest is now over in Mafraq and farmers there have started planting another crop of tomatoes, adding that "if no frost waves come, the crop will be saved".

"Generally speaking, tomato farms are currently providing the local market with adequate amounts of the produce, keeping prices stable and at reasonable levels," he said. Faour warned, however, that the government and farmers should maintain ongoing precautionary measures, explaining that the insect’s behaviour as well as its ability to rapidly develop resistance to insecticides "make it sometimes difficult to fully eradicate".

Source :
Source: jordantimes.com
Publication date: 11/29/2010