The research and development of pesticides industry has become an ally for banana producers.
Starting Tuesday, February 21st the IV International Banana Congress took place in Costa Rica, which has brought together producers and both domestic and foreign businessmen to discuss the state of the industry and trends in the medium and long term.
In order to create opportunities for sharing knowledge on issues that seek to promote the banana industry progress in the areas of environment, labor and social development and research, the research and development pesticides business, organized by CropLife Latin America, which aim to maintain a presence in the sector by promoting and developing technological tools and innovation that will benefit the Costa Rican crops.
According to Martin Zuñiga, Executive Director for Central America and the Caribbean of CropLife Latin America, "banana production is always a great challenge for farmers becuase crops are susceptible to various diseases, but the research and development pesticides industry is always investing in the development of more effective and at the same time more environmentally friendly products, which will result in a significant benefit, to the banana producer.
According to Martin Zuñiga, Executive Director for Central America and the Caribbean of CropLife Latin America, "banana production is always a great challenge for farmers becuase crops are susceptible to various diseases, but the research and development pesticides industry is always investing in the development of more effective and at the same time more environmentally friendly products, which will result in a significant benefit, to the banana producer.
"The Costa Rican banana industry will for ever enjoy international recognition for their concern for social and environmental issues; companies represented by CropLife are fully committed to that vision, and will continue supporting it with research and development of new products," he said.
In 2010, according to figures from the Central Bank of Costa Rica (BCCR), banana exports in the total domestic exports accounted for 7.9%. It is worth pointing out that in the country, the main banana-growing areas for export are located in the Caribbean region.
Useful information
Major diseases in banana plantations
- Black Sigatoka: is caused by a fungus that is reproduces through water and wind. The first symptoms are visible to the naked eye on the lower leaf surface as reddish brown spots. The economic damage of the fungus is precisely that it reduces the photosynthetic capacity of the plant with losses as a result.
- Panama disease: is the most devastating disease affecting the commercial production of bananas in Central America and the Caribbean.
- Moko: affects production by not allowing the fruit to develop. Some of the fruit ripens prematurely.
- Nematode: they are tiny worms that are only found when using microscope. They attack plant roots weakening their anchoring or ability to stay upright.
About CropLife Latin America
CropLife Latin America is an international trade organization, non-profit, consisting of eight companies committed to productivity and sustainability of agriculture, through the provision of improved seeds, biotechnology and pesticides. The industry represented by CropLife Latin America meets the guidelines of the International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides of the FAO; in addition to strict ethic and social responsibility standards, in aspects such as quality, respect for public health and the environment.
Source: CropLife