The Executive President of the Association of Banana Producers of Magdalena and La Guajira (ASBAMA), Jose Francisco Zuñiga Cotes, announced that the V Edition of the Banana Forum 2022: ‘Advances in the sector for sustainable production,’ would be held on Thursday, June 2 and Friday, June 3, at the Event and Convention Center of the Irotama Resort Hotel in the city of Santa Marta, Magdalena.
In the event, academics and experts from the banana sector will analyze and reflect on relevant issues and problems of this transcendental productive sector focusing on four thematic axes: plant health, environmental sustainability, productivity and competitiveness, and social impact.
Plant health conferences will address issues related to the advances that have been made around the main diseases that are affecting banana cultivation, such as Foc R4T. They will also address other issues, such as the research agenda that has generated a series of efforts and the advances that the country has reached. This forum will be a platform that will allow to socialize the mitigation measures implemented to manage this disease.
Another plant health issue to address is the Black Sigatoka, a leaf disease that has affected the crop for many years but that has required greater action recently due to climate change.
Regarding the productivity and competitiveness axis, the event will carry out a review of the economic situation and market requirements for conventional and organic bananas. Several experts in the field will present a global view of the market at a global level and at a country level. They will also talk about the special requirements there are and everything that is being implemented according to the certifications.
Regarding environmental sustainability, there will be a conference presenting the several climate change projects that the productive sector and the country are committing themselves to, mainly those focused on the banana production chain such as the carbon footprint, the water footprint, and other aspects. Regarding the water footprint, it should be noted that producers have directed efforts in the irrigation, drainage system, and the efficient use of this resource.
Finally, the social impact axis will highlight the importance of building a social fabric for the production chain and for producers. This can be done by encouraging and training talented young people, supporting entrepreneurship, and giving back to all workers for the effort and support they constantly give to the banana industry, one of the country's most important agricultural sectors.
For more information:
ASBAMA
Tel.: +57 (5) 421 2907
informacion@asbama.com
http://asbama.com