The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) is currently conducting a surveillance exercise in Region Two in an effort to combat the Carambola Fruit Fly (CFF).
A press release from NAREI said the exercise, which entails Plant Protection Officers and Extension Officers placing Jackson Traps in various communities to identify areas where the pest population exists, has so far covered Hoff Van Aurich, Charity Housing Scheme and David James Scheme.
Once, the pest is found in a particular area baits are set to combat the pests.
The release said the Institute will be placing traps across the region to aid farmers. It further noted that a major part of the success of the exercise would be cooperation from farmers, who have an important role in ensuring their farms are cleaned from all rotten fruits.
NAREI noted that for years fruit farmers in the Pomeroon and several villages on the Essequibo Coast have been affected by the CFF, which only destroys the carambola fruit but other crops such as cherry, guava and mangoes.
To control the CFF, the statement said NAREI has been implementing a control strategy used in countries affected by the pest.
