“We have been fighting the stink bug for three years and this year we have finally successfully combated it”, said Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze today in the western Georgian region of Samegrelo where together with other authorities and hazelnut sector representatives he summed up the state’s activities against the stink bug infestation.
The brown marmorated stink bug was widespread in western Georgia and a real nuisance to Georgian farmers.
The pest was first reported in Georgia in 2015 but in 2016, the bugs destroyed a significant portion of the hazelnut harvest in western Georgia. 2017 was even more devastating and struck a wider area.
Combat strategy
The Georgian government has created a strategy to combat the brown marmorated stink bug problem, which included four main directions: an information campaign, the implementation of a monitoring system, stink bug control measures and scientific research.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was also helping the government of Georgia in this process. During the last two years Georgia received $6.5 million from the US for combating the stink bug. Besides financial assistance Georgia also received special equipment from the US that was used in fighting against the stink bug.
Source: agenda.ge
