THE coconut industry in the Lower Pomeroon River is under serious attack by a strange disease known as “coconut lice”.
Reports are that the disease has already attacked a large number of trees, killing many, and according to large-scale coconut farmer, Mr. Parsram Persaud, known as “Indal” of Grant Macedonia in the Lower Pomeroon River; the lice are attacking the branches of the trees before getting into the trunk, which eventually kills the tree.
Mr. Persaud, who cultivates more than 50 acres at Cozier and another large area at Macedonia, said his coconut trees have been seriously attacked, and he is losing heavily.
Mr. Persaud said the disease was detected several months ago after some coconut trees in his farm were observed having discoloured leaves. He said the disease causes young coconuts to fall off and is spread by ants and birds to other farms. According to the farmer, coconuts are in high demand especially water coconuts and he is calling on the Ministry of Agriculture to investigate and bring the disease under control.
Another farmer of Aberdeen, on the Lower Pomeroon River, Mr. Sase Paul said his 20 acres are also under attack. The farmer said he depends on his farm for his livelihood to maintain his family. Coconut farmer Balram Tulsie of Cozier said his farm with hundreds of coconut trees are seriously affected. The farmer said many other farms are also affected by the strange disease.
Just before the General and Regional Elections on May 11, several farmers from the Lower Pomeroon River met with Vice-Chairman of Region 2, Mr. Vishnu Samaroo at a meeting on the wharf of the Charity Marketing Centre and complained to him about the strange disease that was attacking their farms. Mr. Samaroo assured the farmers that the matter will engage the Agriculture Ministry and arrangements will be made for a technical team to visit the affected farms and advise as to how the disease will be eradicated.
However, according to reports, the disease is still attacking coconut farms in the Lower Pomeroon River. Coconut is one of the largest crops grown in the Pomeroon and with the high demand for water and dried coconuts on the international market, farmers are enjoying good prices for their produce. (Rajendra Prabhulall)