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Bud rot workshop kicks off
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Posted on Sep 14 2005
The much-awaited workshop for prevention and cure of the betel nut disease will kick off today, led by the Northern Marianas College-Cooperative Research Extension and Research Service.
NMC-CREES agricultural consultant Isidoro Cabrera said the free workshop is for betel nut growers and farmers, particularly those who were affected by the Phytophthora Meadii fungi that has already killed thousands of betel nut trees on Saipan.
The workshop is called “Fosphite Systemic Fungicide for the Control of Bud Rot.” Cabrera said there would be a demonstration on the use of the chemicals to eradicate the fungi. The workshop’s venue will be at the farm of former senator Juan P. Tenorio in Papago.
Cabrera said the demonstration will teach local growers the proper use of the chemical to cure and protect the trees from the deadly fungi.
He said the workshop today is part of the series of educational workshop NMC-CREES is planning to conduct in the future, as it is needed. There will be another workshop two to three weeks from now, said Cabrera.
The Fosphite chemical was purchased using the $30,000 funding that the government provided in August. Some $10,000 was allotted for the acquisition of chemicals Fosphite and Kocide 45LF and the remaining $20,000 would be used for the rodent control program of NMC-CREES.
The money became available when Gov. Juan N. Babauta signed into law House Local Bill 14-48 in March, appropriating $600,000 from the Managaha Island Land User Free Trust account for the renovation and construction of the Old Garapan Head Start. The law included an allocation of $10,000 to “defray the cost of the indigenous farmers and fishermen who suffered during typhoons Tingting and Chaba, eradication of rat and also for betel nut palm pest Phytophthora.”
Cabrera said interested farmers could attend the workshop today. For more information contact Cabrera at 287-0571.
