In a significant boost for the citrus sector in the United States, the Florida Legislature has approved a budget that earmarks $47 million for the industry, marking a substantial victory for citrus growers across the state. This financial injection is aimed at combating the pervasive and destructive citrus greening disease, which has posed a considerable threat to the industry for years.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has been allocated $8.3 million for its Citrus Health Response Program. This initiative is aimed at supporting research into new citrus varieties, enhancing citrus production, and developing technologies to combat citrus greening. An additional $4 million has been directed to the Citrus Inspection Trust Fund to aid in the supplementation of grower assessments for citrus inspection purposes.
In collaboration with the Florida Department of Citrus, FDACS will also receive $2.7 million for Pest Management efforts to mitigate the spread of the Asian Citrus Psyllid, the vector responsible for citrus greening. Moreover, the Citrus Recovery Program, under the stewardship of the Florida Department of Citrus, has been granted $2 million. This funding is intended for the advancement of technologies fostering tolerance or resistance to citrus greening and for the cultivation of trees exhibiting these traits.
The budget wins for the Florida citrus industry underscore the state's commitment to preserving and revitalizing a sector that is not only economically significant but also a cherished part of the state's heritage and identity.
Source: floridapolitics.com