Participants attending the four-day Workshop ‘Identification of Fruit Flies of Economic Importance.’ (Photo Credit /Mr. Reynold Corum)

The workshop, being held from January 9 – 12, includes officers from the Departments of Agriculture throughout the Caribbean including British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, St. Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Suriname, St. Maarten, and Turks and Caicos Islands.

In an opening ceremony held on January 9, at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College Marine Centre, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour Mr. Ronald Berkeley speaking on behalf of the Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr. the Honourable Kedrick Pickering, welcomed and wished all participants a productive and successful training.

“The theme selected for this week’s workshop is, ‘Participation through Public Education’ and this theme emphasises the value of necessity of partnerships among individuals, communities, agencies, and governments engaged in a collaborative approach as we support each others’ efforts in preserving an industry critical to our survival.” Mr. Berkeley expressed.

According to the permanent secretary, the Government of the Virgin Islands has initiated strategic action plans and polices aimed at increasing food production through technology, as well as our renewed efforts and our commitment to farmers using the traditional methods of food production.

“We need to work together to protect our environment especially as it relates to sustainable agriculture development”, Mr. Berkeley emphasised.

Agricultural Scientist and representative from USDA and APHIS, Mr. Wayne De Chi expressed how pleased he was to be involved in the facilitating of this training.

“This collaborative effort is aimed at educating and simulating officials and technocrats on the importance of fruit flies and the destructive nature of these insects,” the USDA/APHIS representative stated.

Chief Agricultural Officer Mr. Bevin Braithwaite stressed the importance of high quality food as a part of our culture during his remarks.

“Fruit flies are insects that damage our fruits and trapping and identification of these insects are necessary and must be done to ensure the fruit grows to maturity and reaches the market at quality free from blemishes and post harvest losses.”

Deputy Chief Agricultural Officer, Mrs. Arona Fahie-Forbes highlighted the areas that would be covered during the four-day training.

“Attendees will be taught how the basic anatomy of the Fruit Flies, detection, economical importance of fruit flies in the Caribbean and trapping in the field,” Mrs. Forbes outlined.

“The techniques that one will learn would in turn provide technical assistance to the farming community and allow producers to harvest or yield more than usual and the quality of the fruits will be a higher rate,” she added.

The workshop of the ‘Identification of Fruit Flies of Economic Importance,’ serves as a precursor to the Annual Mango Array and Tropical Fruit Festival. The objective is to eventually teach crop producers and home gardeners correct trapping and identification of the fruit flies. The Department of Agriculture works to enhance the local agricultural industry through training opportunities to enhance crop production as they strengthen the sector.