Rodney Miller, Gleaner Writer
HIGHGATE, St. Mary:
MAYOR OF Port Maria, Robert Montague, has said that he is concerned about the progress of the implementation of the Moko disease public education programme.
Moko a devastating disease that affects banana, plantains and some other crops has been detected on five banana farms in St. James and has the potential to destroy Jamaica's $2 billion banana industry.
COLLABORATIVE EFFORT
Addressing representatives of several agricultural agencies at a meeting at the St. Mary Civic Centre on Tuesday, Mr. Montague agreed that a collaborative effort should be adopted in dealing with public education programme in the parish, especially given that it was very dependent on banana production.
Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke had initially stated this last week.
Among those attending Tuesday's meeting with the Mayor was Clifton Wilson, Director of Technical Services of the European Union Banana Support Programme.
PUBLIC EDUCATION
Highlighting the importance of the public education programme, Mr. Wilson said many consumers were refusing to purchase bananas although the infected fruits do not affect humans.
He said that under a national awareness programme, banana-producing areas would first benefit from the public education programme followed by other communities.
Other agencies represented at the meeting were the Rural Agricultural Development Agency (RADA), St. Mary 4-H Clubs, European Union Banana Support Programme (EUBSP), Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), and the Ministry of Agriculture Plant Quarantine Unit.
