The HLB disease could cause the end of Colombia's citrus industry at any time, according to Roberto Jaramillo, president of the national federation of growers, who also said that they have been waiting two years for the Government to provide the necessary devices to monitor and prevent the spread of the vector that transmits the pest.
The HLB was identified in two municipalities of La Guajira, hence the concern, because if it spreads, it could cause the loss of some 400,000 jobs in four years and put an end to the production of 18,000 Colombian farms, i.e., some 83,000 hectares of citrus fruits.
Citrus growers in the region claim that the lack of rainfall has led to a drop in the production, and that prices have increased by up to 50%.
The hope for this sector, as well as for fruit and vegetable growers in general, is for some rainfall to be registered over the next two months so that the impact on the upcoming harvest can be reduced.
Source: rcnradio.com
