Banana disease Fusarium TR4 Workshop and Simulation Exercise continues in Central Farm

Fusarium TR4 Containment and Eradication Simulation at banana plantation in Central Farm – Photo Credit: Belize Agriculture Health Authority (BAHA)

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: After a full day of activities on Wednesday at Dream Valley Resort in Teakettle, the 2024 National Forum on Banana Disease Fusarium TR4 and Simulation Exercise continued on Thursday at the University of Belize (UB) and the Belize Agriculture Health Authority (BAHS) facilities in Central Farm.

Fusarium TR4, also known as Foc TR4, is a deadly soil-borne banana disease, which is present in South America in Colombia, Perú, and Venezuela.

“The relentlessness of TR4 suggests that it will eventually reach all banana producing areas in the Central American region, including Guatemala and Belize, and as a result, we are hard at work and diligently trying to prevent TR4 from reaching our shores,” Minister of Agriculture Jose Abelardo Mai said during the event’s opening on Wednesday.

“To restrict its spread once it arrives, we  have to explore alternative management practices including biosecurity measures, the use of resistant varieties, amongst others.”

To that end, the Taiwan International Cooperation Development Fund (ICDF), the International Regional Organization for Health in Agriculture (OIRSA), Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise (MAFSE) through the Belize Agriculture Health Authority (BAHA), and the University of Belize (UB) organized the three-day Fusarium Wilt TR4 Workshop and Simulation Exercise.

“The goal of the forum is to enhance Belize’s capacity to prevent and control Foc TR4, thereby safeguarding banana plantations, farmers’ livelihoods, and ensuring food security in the country,” the organizers said in a statement.

The Fusarium TR4 forum is being held under the Regional Project for the Prevention and Control of Fusarium Tropical Race 4 pf Banana in Central America coordinated by MAFSE, TaiwanICDF, and OIRSA.

Participants receiving certificates – (Photo Credit: Rubén Morales Iglesias)

With participants from Guatemala, Panama, and Belize, the forum, conducted by Brazilian, Honduran, Colombian, Guatemalan, and Belizean experts, on Wednesday morning concentrated on the Use of Satellite Images for Pathogen Detection presented by Guatemalan engineer Néstor Wang. After that, UB’s Drewyan Harrison showed the participants UB’s Micro-propagation Central Lab.

Next, BAHA’s agronomist Misael Perez made a presentation on Pathogen Diagnosis Simulation in Musa Species. Following that, Perez conducted a tour of the BAHA Plant Health Laboratory. The tour was attended by the visiting experts who wanted to see how BAHA is equipped to detect Fusarium TR4.

During the afternoon session, the participants are attending a Containment and Eradication Simulation at a banana plantation at Central Farm’s research facilities.

The day closed with a session entitled Simulation Conclusions, Evaluation, and Recommendations.

The Fusarium Wilt TR4 Workshop and Simulation Exercise closes on Friday with a visit to banana farms in the Stann Creek, during which a Foc R4T Desktop Simulation and an Artificial Simulation Classroom will be held.

One of the highlights of the forum was the public presentation of the  Formosana 2018, a TR4 resistant variety of banana, that is being grown in Belize.

“‘Formosana 218’ is the first disease-resistant banana variety being introduced in Central America, successfully planted in an evaluation field and harvested in Belize, thank to the partnership between TaiwanICDF, BAHA, OIRSA, and the Banana Growers Association (BGA),” said the organizers’ statement.

Offficials including Minister of Agriculture Jose Abelardo Mai (left) and Taiwan Ambassador Lily Li-Wen Hsu (second from left) with Formosana 218 bananas – Photo Credit: (Photo Credit: Rubén Morales Iglesias)

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