Alert for the presence of 'yellow dragon' in Colima,Mexico

[Tonka]

http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/846157.html
Spanish-English translation

Alert for the presence of 'yellow dragon' in Colima,Mexico
The State Board of Lemon reported that 60% of the citrus plantations are infected by the plague


Colima | Tuesday May 8, 2012
Alfredo Quiles | The Universal
21:40


President of the State Board of Limon, Sergio Diaz , acknowledged that 60% of the plantations are infected by the plague known as "yellow dragon" or HLB of citrus .

In Colima there are about 25 000 hectares of lemon, and its cultivation depend more than 23 thousand families, he said.

Two years ago the state and federal authorities acknowledged that the virus was infecting the citrus state.

The producer of lemon and Tecom?n local deputy, Alfredo Diaz Blake, said that currently plague "is out of control."

However, he said that even if you can control the state government, SAGARPA and producers launch a pop-care program, "which until now has not existed."

Blake Diaz said that in this case there is a neglect by state and federal governments and producers, "this neglect has caused the disease is controlled, that is not declining, on the contrary, I think it is increasing."

He said that lemon producers themselves have received support to spray their crops but said it was the only thing they had, "and can not be eradicated disease with no cure but you can stop, but we have not seen by authorities have a sufficient attention, in addition also the producers have not done our part. "

He said the situation is complicated HLB not only in Colima but in other states including Michoac?n, although the producers have not been recognized.

The MP and producer said the situation is serious because all citrus trees that were in approximately 3 000 hectares have been lying mainly to the change of culture "for fear that it gets the disease."

Also, Alfredo Diaz Blake said that the economic losses are millions, however, said the most worrying is the loss of jobs which causes the cut lemon.

"There is unemployment in the working class. Not know exactly how many jobs have been lost in Colima, but I know that for the production of lime in an area of ​​one hundred hectares will need at least 50 people to harvest and right now we speak of 3 hectares that are no longer growing lemon and although not all jobs have been lost itself has suffered a significant decline. "

Blake Diaz hoped that programs against the HLB are strengthened and that the changes of staff in the Ministry of Rural Development of the State Government be beneficial to continue to fight this scourge.

 

[Tonka]

Re: Alert for the presence of 'yellow dragon' in Colima,Mexico

http://www.elporvenir.com.mx/notas.asp?nota_id=589650
Spanish-English translation

Colima growers seeking resources to combat pest



By: Notimex, Wednesday, June 6, 2012 (Latest News)

Verdugo Avalos regretted that the citrus industry is declining to change to other crops, because he said that the plague has affected 50 percent of wages.

Colima. - Members of the State Council of producers Lemon (Coeplim), led by its president Oscar Avalos Verdugo, deputies requested support to manage resources in order to intensify the fight against Huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus disease Yellow Dragon.

Verdugo Avalos asked that efforts be made to the various levels of government, since the HLB is severely affecting producers of lime, and therefore those who live in that activity.

He added that this request for financial support emerging of 30.5 million pesos, for the plague to get HLB in 2010, production was just over 460 thousand tons per year, declined in 2011 to 300 thousand.

"With this resource provides technical assistance to 23 000 hectares, as well as chemicals or insecticides, so we request that the State Government endorses us to the federal" he said.

He said that last year yielded a similar resource that is asked, "So now we ask the state government remains manager to support policies for public health that has to do with lemons."

Verdugo Avalos regretted that the citrus industry is declining to change to other crops, because he said that the plague has affected 50 percent of wages.

He explained that more than 80 thousand people directly dependent on this activity, in a little over 23 thousand hectares, located mostly in the municipalities of Tecoman, Armory, Coquimatl?n and Manzanillo.

He reiterated that this action seeks to continue the monitoring, control and alternative chemical Diaphorina citri, apply technology to prolong the productive life of lemon trees, citrus and maintain activity in Colima for several years, while continuing to receive specialized technical advice.

Likewise, to establish new planting or replanting with certified plants produced under anti?fidos mesh in areas where feasible, and convert to other crops or abandoned orchards are infected with more than 28 percent with the HLB.

With this proposal, said Oscar Avalos will prevent the loss of economic activity generated by the system lime product, with the consequent loss of jobs that can cause disease.

"Failure to take action against the disease, it is estimated that between three and five citrus activity disappears, and with it the livelihoods of 20 000 families, causing a serious economic and social devastate municipalities, farmers and other agricultural production chains the state, "he said.

Meanwhile, the president of the Rural Development Commission, Germain Virgin Verduzco, reiterated the full readiness of local legislators to support and support local producers of lemon, and perform the actions and representations to the competent authorities.