On October 18th, FONTAGRO, in collaboration with the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) – Argentina, the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of Argentina’s Ministry of Economy, the Agricultural Innovation Institute of Panama, the Colombian Agricultural Research Corporation (AGROSAVIA), and the National Agricultural Research Institute (INIA) – Uruguay, led an important webinar aimed at sharing strategies and advances in the fight against Huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening disease in the Americas.
During the event, opened by Dr. Eugenia Saini, Executive Secretary of FONTAGRO, and moderated by Dr. Alberto Gochez, INTA – Argentina’s expert on HLB in citrus, the spread of the disease was discussed with a focus on the movement of infected plant material and transmission by the vector insect Diaphorina citri. The invited experts presented scientific advancements promoting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as a comprehensive strategy for controlling the disease, highlighting the development of biocontrol agents and the implementation of remote monitoring technologies.
The webinar featured prominent professionals in the field. Dr. Ariel Singerman from the University of Florida shared his insights on collective efforts to manage psyllids in Florida. Meanwhile, Dr. Matthew Mattia from USDA-ARS presented the current challenges of HLB in the U.S. and advances in citrus breeding innovations.
Additionally, Dr. Francisco Márquez Pérez, Head of the National Priority Campaigns Department in Mexico, discussed the current status of HLB in his country and phytosanitary actions for its management. Dr. Silvana Orozco Restrepo, from the Colombian Agricultural Institute, highlighted phytosanitary risk management of HLB in citrus. Finally, Dr. Renato Beozzo Bassanezi from the Citrus Protection Fund – Fundecitrus presented the current situation and management of HLB in Brazil.
To access the recording of the webinar, visit: https://www.youtube.com/live/zEYtCSbrS0k?si=ltCL1-iGzoyg6InL
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About FONTAGRO
FONTAGRO was created 1998 with the purpose of promoting the increase of the competitiveness of the agri-food sector, ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources and the reduction of poverty in the region. The objective of FONTAGRO is to establish itself as a sustainable financing mechanism for the development of agricultural technology and innovation in Latin America and the Caribbean and Spain, and to establish a forum for the discussion of priority topics of technological innovation. The member countries are: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Spain, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, Uruguay and Venezuela. In the last 21 years 167 regional agricultural innovation platforms have been co-financed for an amount of US $ 124 million, which has reached 452 institutions and 33 countries worldwide.