When Laurel Williams of Grenada considers soursop, she recalls the fruit cultivated on her Caribbean farm. "I have this real affection for soursop. There is so much goodness that comes out of it," she states.
Soursop holds culinary and economic value for Grenadians, being integral to various foods and beverages while serving as a major export. Grenada remains the exclusive Caribbean exporter of fresh soursop to the United States, catering to rising demand driven by its nutritional benefits.
The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization reports that soursop tops Grenada's foreign agricultural earnings, estimated at US$2.6 million.
The fruit's export potential depends on managing pests like the Annona fruit borer and soursop seed borer. Recently, croton scale emerged as a concern, impacting soursop along with other crops such as mango and guava. This insect, originally noted in Florida in 2008, is now found across multiple Caribbean islands, including Grenada.
Williams acted promptly upon detecting croton scale on her farm. "When we saw it, we immediately cut the branches off, bagged them, and burnt them," she notes. Her actions are not isolated, as other farmers like Ryan Hall have encountered similar challenges, reporting extensive crop damage.
To address this, Grenada's Ministry of Agriculture collaborates with CABI's PlantwisePlus programme and the Sandals Foundation, focusing on mitigating pest impact without heavy reliance on chemical pesticides.
Pest control efforts hinge on biological control, leveraging natural predators such as ladybird beetles. These beetles have previously been effective against the pink hibiscus mealybug. Similarly, parasitic wasps and moths aid in combating croton scale.
Grenadian pest management units train farmers to identify pests and beneficial organisms, promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The introduction of natural enemies allows for reduced chemical usage and enhanced crop resilience.
CABI seeks to establish a Caribbean Invasive Species Trust Fund to ensure sustained efforts in managing invasive species. "We can do much more," emphasizes Naitram Ramnanan, CABI's Caribbean representative, underscoring the necessity for continuous funding to sustain progress in pest management strategies.
Source: SciDevNet