Citrus Replanting Project Allocated $26 Million

A sum of $26 million has been allotted to the Citrus Replanting project to prevent the total decline of the citrus industry, through the replanting of groves with plants tolerant to the citrus tristeza virus.
The allocation is outlined in the 2004/05 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives.
The funds will be used to provide research services in the area of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Agronomy, and to carry out the analysis of survey data and experimental data of soil and leaf nutrient levels.
Other anticipated targets are the registration of 12 nurseries on the books, visiting nurseries on a monthly basis to monitor production of certified planting materials, and to produce tags for certified plants.
The project will also continue the maintenance of database, make entries on a regular basis, and develop training programmes for staff and nursery operators.
The project, which began in January 2001, has achieved some results, including the establishment of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU), and the submission of status report, three quarterly reports and nine monthly reports.
Other achievements include full operation of the Extension and Certification Services, which has made 2,365 farm visits; the staging of 18 field days; and monitoring the production and movement of 240,909 certified plants from 12 registered nurseries.
The project, which is funded by the Government and the Caribbean Development Bank and implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, should be completed in October 2006.