Asian fruit fly outbreak
Botswana faces serious shortage of fresh produce
Ministry spokesperson Geoffrey Pheko said that the ministry have this week quarantined farms and banned imports following the outbreak of the fly at Botalana, Fairfield, Seleka and AR5 farms in the Tuli Block area in Eastern Botswana.
He said restrictions had been put in place to prevent the fly from spreading. He also stated that, though the Ministry is aware of the need for local produce, controlling the pest is of primary importance.
“The farms have been put under quarantine with immediate effect and the ban would go on for an indefinite period until the fly has been successfully put under control,” he said.
Botswana currently imports 34,000 tonnes of fruits and vegetables to supplement the 41,000 tonnes produced locally. The national demand for fruits and vegetables is 75,000 tonnes.
Source: coastweek.com
