Guyana is free from many serious plant pests, weeds and diseases that are present in other parts of the world, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) has said.
The agency is also currently working to ensure that this situation remains, even as the accelerated movement of plant and plant parts between countries pose the threat of increased movement of pests, diseases and weeds.
NAREI has responsibility for the provision of Plant Quarantine Services to farmers, exporters, importers and to the general public. These services are provided through the National Plant Protection Organization, a department of NAREI.
The NPPO is tasked with:

1. Enforcing the Plant Protection Act 2011;

2. Issuing Phytosanitary Certificate involves three distinct procedures: 1) examination of documents associated with a consignment to ensure import and export documents are complete, consistent, accurate and valid; 2) verification of consignment’s identity and integrity; and 3) visual examination for pests and other Phytosanitary requirements such as the absence of soil.

3. Inspecting agricultural commodities for import and export at the various ports-of-entry, container terminals, aboard ships and aircraft, Central Packaging Facility, bonds warehouses and other places or facilities of importers and exporters. The major imported commodities are: potatoes, onions, garlic, wheat, exotic fruits, and cut-flowers. The major commodities that are usually inspected for export are rice, sugar, lumber, fruits and vegetables, sand, charcoal and medicine bark;

4. Certifying farms is a Phytosanitary requirement for the exportation of fruits and vegetables to Barbados, St. Lucia and Antigua. NAREI inspects farmers’ fields to determine whether they are free from pests and diseases of quarantine importance to those counties;

5. And, Conducting surveys and surveillances for pests and diseases are done to determine the presence of exotic pests and monitor their spread and effect control measures. Surveys are conducted for the following: Papaya Mealy Bug; Black Sigatoka in plantains and bananas; Giant African Snail; The Mango Seed Weevil; coffee berry borer and the Mediterranean fruit fly. Surveillances are conducted for: Carambola Fruit Fly; Pink Mealy Bug; Red Palm Mite; Red Palm Weevil and the Anastrepha species of the fruit fly.
The above mentioned pests are considered quarantine pests. The presence of these pests could have a devastating effect on the farming community and the country as a whole. For instance, Guyana’s ability to trade with other countries could be restricted and local farmers would be unable to earn a living.
Owing to NAREI’s dedicated team, Guyana continues to be free from the Giant African Snail, The Mango Seed Weevil, Mediterranean Fruit Fly and the Red Palm Weevil. The country is also free of the Papaya Mealy Bug and efforts are continuing to have similar results with the Pink Mealy Bug. Thankfully, the Carambola Fruit Fly has been successfully eradicated from Regions Five and is under control in most other Regions.
Remember it is our duty to report pests and diseases affecting our farms and to take relevant actions in controlling the pests and diseases found on farms. All quarantine pests discovered on farms should be promptly reported to the nearest NAREI office or NPPO.