FAO and partners working on safeguarding Caribbean bananas

For many Caribbean and Latin American villages, where more than 28% of the bananas worldwide are cultivated, bananas represent an economic lifeline. Banana and plantain output in the region exceeded forty million metric tonnes in 2022.

But the threat fusarium wilt presents — especially from the Tropical Race 4 (Foc TR4) strain—is one the nations must face with urgency and teamwork.

Although the disease has not yet been recorded in the Caribbean, experts advise the nations to use a multidimensional strategy, including contingency planning, early diagnosis, and prevention, to help contain and manage this threat.

“Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Caribbean are particularly vulnerable to external shocks and climate-related changes, including aggravation and proliferation of plant pathogenic diseases like Foc TR4,” said Jean Baptiste Kemuel, Chief of Extension and Rural Advisory Services at St Lucia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Physical Planning, Natural Resources and Co-operatives.

Using the farmer field school (FFS), technical staff, extension workers, and other stakeholders were trained to prepare for a possible Foc TR4 incursion in the Caribbean, with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in association with the Caribbean Plant Health Directors Forum (CPHD).

Ten Caribbean nations— Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Lucia, St Vincent, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago — were represented among the participants.

“Through this training, we are equipping countries need to conduct surveillance and monitoring, analyse risks, and enforce strict phytosanitary measures to prevent the introduction of the pathogen and contain it swiftly in case of any incursion,” said Maged Elkahky, FAO’s plant pathologist in his keynote address. Furthermore, he said it is essential to effectively enhance interregional cooperation to prevent and control Foc TR4 in the region.

Unlike certain plant diseases that can be controlled with pesticides or farming methods, TR4 is incredibly sneaky. Once it contaminates the ground, it can linger for decades, prohibiting banana farming and destroying farmers’ way of life.

The most recent studies, best practices, and creative ideas were shared during the weeklong course on fighting this terrible disease.

“For Caribbean nutrition security as much as for economic production, bananas and plantains are vital. Although TR4 is already prevalent in South America and the Caribbean, nations must cooperate and work hard to raise readiness with an eye towards early diagnosis, biosecurity, and contingency planning. Melvin Media, FAO’s Plant Production and Protection Officer, said, “This is the first workshop on TR4 focused on the Farmer Field School approach. Participants are better prepared and will share knowledge in the respective countries.”