ROADTOWN Tortola, BVI, October 3rd, 2012 – In an effort to safeguard the Territory from the threat of Thrips (a slender, winged insect that sometimes feeds on fruits and flowers), eight local Agricultural Officers along with officers and personnel from across the region are attending training at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College’s Marine Centre.
The training is being hosted by the Department of Agriculture and facilitated by Mr. Thomas Skarlinsky, Entomology Identifier, of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Plant Health Inspection Services. Delegates from at least 15 countries and territories which include Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, the Cayman Islands, St. Lucia and Jamaica are participating.
Chief Agricultural Officer, Mr. Bevin Braithwaite in his remarks at the opening ceremony on October 1 stated, “The production of fresh fruits and vegetables is very important to the agricultural sector of the Virgin Islands. Thrips play a pivotal role in the destruction of many crops including hot peppers, and other vegetable crops and it is seen throughout the Territory. Training seminars such as these will enhance the knowledge and skills of officers in crop protection...”
Agricultural Scientist of the USDA, Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Lionel Wayne De Chi also encouraged the participants to take advantage of this week’s activities and training. “It is very important to the Caribbean that you take this knowledge and pass it on to your colleagues when you get back home. This is not only technical, motivational and entomological but it has trade implications,” he stated.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour, Mr. Ronald Smith-Berkely said, “There are over 500 species and while some are considered destructive, feeding on developing flowers or vegetables causing discoloration and deformation… some are beneficial as they feed on mites, other insects and spores. Thrips are among the fastest growing group of invasive species in the world… The ministry and the department are proud to promote this training towards safeguarding our boarders.”
This training is ongoing within the region by the USDA to ensure that quarantine officers are prepared in an effort to mitigate pest entry and infestation throughout the Territory and the wider Caribbean region.
The most recent workshop facilitated by the USDA in the BVI was on “Fruit Fly Identification” held in March, this year.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour aims to protect and preserve the agricultural sector of the Virgin Islands.
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