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La protection des cultures à Madagascar s'organise contre les mouches des fruits

Written by Tahina Rakotondralambo Modified on the

  • Atelier du groupe de travail protection des cultures

A crop protection committee has been established in Madagascar to wage war against two devastating species of fruit fly : Bactrocera invadens and Ceratitis malgassa.

The presence of Ceratitis malgassa means Madagascar cannot export its agricultural products. Approximately 75% of fruit losses in Antananarivo, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga and Antsiranana are caused by this destructive fly. Unfortunately, a new species of fruit fly, Bactrocera invadens, has been detected in Mahajanga, Antsiranana, Morondava, Antananarivo, Toamasina, Farafangana and Ambovombe.

The committee was created during a workshop held on Sept.25, 2012, in Antananarivo at the Plant Protection H.Q. (DPV). The objective of the workshop was to share and disseminate integrated crop protection techniques : essentially prophylactic measures and the use of trap plants against male flies. The workshop also aimed to revitalize the Plant Protection Service, which has suffered from a chroniclack of funding (see below).

The Working Group is made up of experts from the PlantProtection H.Q. (entomologists and plant pathologists) and the following organizations have been invited to join :

  • The FIFAMANOR research centre,
  • The Birao Ifandraisan'ny Mpampiofana ny Tontolon'nyTantsaha (BIMTT) association,
  • The Antananarivo CTHA horticultural centre,
  • The Madagascar CPM farmers’ coalition,
  • The MAMABIO Malagasy organic farming association,
  • CARITAS Madagascar,
  • The ID'Fampivoarana association,
  • RTM Reggio Terzo Mondo (NGO),
  • The TARATRA association,
  • The SYMABIO Malagasy organic farming union.

During the workshop, the DPVEntomology service presented simple techniques based on the successful Gamourproject which was trailed in Reunion and Mauritius. These techniques are eas yto set up and involve a minimum of cost for the farmer. The working group was created to provide solutions to pest problems and crop diseases and thus encourage trade. This initiative was developed as part of the IRACC and ePRPV projects.

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