A section of one affected banana field in Maroon Town, St James, where farmers have complained that both their banana and plantain plants have started to show symptoms of the Moko disease. Some plants, they said, have begun to wilt and yield smaller fruits.

Western Bureau - Banana farmers in Southern St James are already tallying the losses they expect to incur from the destruction of 20 acres of fields that have been infected with Moko disease.

Leroy Grey, who was voted the Most Improved Farmer for 2003, at the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Montpelier Agricultural Show, estimated that he stands to lose over $1.5 million if his 10-acre field in Maroon Town is among those that will be destroyed.

"I will lose my field and investment to the tune of $120,000 to $150,000 per acre," he told the Observer.

He also had concerns about the cost for new fields and the replanting of new crop.

"Apart from the loss of income, mobilising funds to reinvest in new fields and new plants are other considerations," Grey said.

Robert Chambers, proprietor of Maroon Pride banana chips factory in Maroon Town, was also concerned.

"If the disease becomes widespread, over 3,000 farmers are expected to be affected," Chambers said. "One hundred and twenty farmers sell us bananas and another 50 work directly and indirectly at the chips factory."

He said that from as far back as two years ago, banana plants in a field near his had started to show signs of ill health. The disease, he said, gradually spread to his field.
These observations were reported to Rural Agricultural Development Authority officers who took samples. As he waited for the results, Chambers said, he tried to save his plants through increased spraying, but that did not help.

Now, both large and small Maroon Town farmers, as well as those who produce banana chips, are bracing for the severe blow they expect Moko disease will have on their sole source of income.

On Tuesday, Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke announced that 20 acres of banana fields from five farms in St James would have to be destroyed in a move to curb the spread of the disease.

He said the following recommendations, to restrict the spread of the disease, should be followed:

. Weekly inspection of crops for symptoms. If seen, mark the location and report it to the nearest office of the Banana Board, RADA, Banana Export Company/ European Union Banana Support programme, Plant Quarantine or the Ministry of Agriculture.

. Do not touch or disturb the suspected plant.

. Disinfect all tools used in your field if you suspect that the disease is present, using household bleach (one part bleach and nine parts water). Disinfect shoes similarly when coming from an infected field.

. Do not replant any field with banana, plantain or other host crops. Wait until at least one year after infested plants are killed.

"No vehicles used in an infected area should visit any banana or plantain farm in any other area," the minister added.

Executive Class

Gardens with Gravel

Death to the Mullet!