Meeting with Grain Farmers on the Infestation of the pest Thysanoptera, or thrips

Belmopan, 23 February, 2021.

A meeting was held today at the Yo Creek Agriculture Station in Orange Walk to discuss grain production with grains farmers. The meeting was attended by Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise Jose Abelardo Mai, who reassured farmers of the Ministry’s commitment to producers and highlighted the need to work together to confront the dangers presented to farmers.

The meeting came about as an infestation of the pest Thysanoptera, or thrips, which are tiny insects that suck the juices out of plants, is affecting black-eyed bean production in the Indian Creek area of the Orange Walk District, as well as some fields in the Spanish Lookout area of the Cayo District. Grain farmers from Shipyard, Blue Creek, Indian Creek, Little Belize, Neuland and Spanish Lookout all attended the meeting, some on virtual platforms, to discuss the total production of black- eyed beans affected and the way forward with control of the pest.

Personnel from BAHA have been out in the field to collect samples of the pest to determine its specific classification in order to make decisions about how to combat it. Extension officers in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise have also been liaising with farmers in order to contain the spread as much as possible and monitor its progress. So far it seems only black-eyed beans are primarily affected as the variety of thrips present seems to have an affinity for that particular legume.

It is worthy to note that whereas Belize produces black-eyed beans, red kidney beans and other varieties for local consumption and for export, the black-eyed beans particularly are export- oriented and the loss of portions of the harvest will also be a loss to the generation of income. It should also be noted that the thrips pest present in the bean crop does not pose any danger to human beings.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise will continue its monitoring and response activities on this situation.