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Banana trees affected by Black Sigatoka. (Internet photo)
Banana trees affected by Black Sigatoka. (Internet photo)
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The Ministry of Agriculture will on Monday welcome a delegation from Taiwan to aid in efforts at controlling black Sigatoka, a disease that causes the leaves of banana species to wilt and the fruit to ripen prematurely.

Minister of Agriculture Saboto Caesar said discussions held with Taiwanese Ambassador Baushusan Ger late last year highlighted a number of issues plaguing the agriculture industry in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) to which Taiwan can lend their expertise.

Caesar said he is very grateful for the continued assistance by Taiwan towards the development of Agriculture and SVG on a whole.

He said all sectors of the agricultural industry have received significant support from Taiwan.

Locally, efforts to control Black Sigatoka are ongoing.

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Extension teams are working along with farmers to reduce the impact of the disease.

The Taiwanese delegation will work along closely with members of the Banana Services and Plant Protection and Quarantine Units. Visits will also be made to various agricultural stations across the island where there is a concentration of banana production.

The mission is expected to last until Thursday.