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FRUITFLY OUTBREAK
10/05/13
RESTRICTION OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES FROM THE TULI BLOCK FARMS (BOTALANA FAIR FIELD, SELEKA AND AR5 FARMS....read more
FRUITFLY OUTBREAK
The Ministry of Agriculture wished to inform the general public and the farming community that there is an outbreak of the Asian Fruit Fly in Botalana, Fairfield, Seleka and AR5 farms in the Tuli Block area. As a result of this outbreak, the farms have been put under quarantine with immediate effect.
The Asian Fruit Fly attacks and damages tomatoes, citrus, cucumber, mango, cashew nuts, papaya, guava, green pepper, water melons, squash, pumpkins, butternuts, banana, avocado and several wild host plants including morula and the wild monkey orange (mogorogorwana).
The main pathway for fruit flies to spread from one area to another and from one country to another is through the movement of infested fruits. In an effort to prevent this fruit fly invade other parts of the country, the Ministry of Agriculture has put up the following quarantine measures with immediate effect; 1. All fruits from affected farms should be subjected to either cold, or heat or chemical treatments for markets outside fruit fly infested areas, 2. Fruits from affected farms will require a permit issued by Plant Protection Division regardless of quantity. 3. Mass trapping of the flies in and outside the farms using insecticides and synthetic lures. 4. Coordination of field sanitation measures through collecting and destroying infested fruits. For the success of this operation, the public’s full cooperation and participation in eradicating the fruit fly will be highly appreciated. For more information contact Geoffrey Pheko at gpheko@gov.bw or 3689116.
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