Trelawny Must Be Protected from Yam Rust Disease – Agriculture Minister

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon Floyd Green, has emphasised that to safeguard Trelawny’s economy and agricultural sector from the looming threat of the yam rust disease, proactive measures must be taken immediately.

Following a recent tour of sections of the southern parts of the parish, Mr. Green said it is imperative that the issue be tackled head-on, especially with yam being the parish’s primary crop and a critical component of Jamaica’s agricultural exports.

He added that the potential impact of the disease on the region’s economy cannot be understated.

“I cannot emphasise enough the urgency of the situation and how detrimental the effects that the yam rust disease could have on Trelawny’s agricultural landscape if not promptly mitigated. To combat the spread of the disease, the Ministry must now look at ways to assist farmers across communities in Trelawny, providing them with the necessary resources to tackle the problem effectively,” the Minister said.

“We will be handing out some chemicals. This is part of a bigger programme that we have in this yam belt to provide the chemical for the farmers to do the spraying,” Mr. Green further noted.

Meanwhile, the Minister said that farmers have been facing challenges in securing labour for spraying activities, a crucial aspect of disease control.

He said that in response to this issue, the Ministry might have to look at the possibility of leveraging technology to overcome the manpower shortage, adding that the innovative use of drones for spraying yam fields is a move that could revolutionise agricultural practices and enhance efficiency in disease management.

“I am going to see how we can get a drone in this area that we can use to spray our yam fields,” Mr. Green said.

“We have thousands and thousands of yams right across the length and breadth [of the parish], so we are not only providing the chemicals; we are also supplying the spray pans to our farmers to say go out there and take the necessary steps,” he added.

The Minister said it is important to note also that Trelawny holds the esteemed position of being a top yam producer, and safeguarding the industry’s sustainability and resilience against threats, such as the yam rust disease, must be a top priority.

He pointed out that $9 million has been allocated for sourcing the necessary sprays to combat the problem, noting that the financial investment underscores the seriousness with which the Ministry is approaching the situation.

“As Trelawny and other parishes brace themselves against the challenges posed by the yam rust disease, the Government’s proactive initiatives and strategic interventions will certainly offer hope for farmers and stakeholders in the agricultural community,” the Minister said.

“By leveraging technology, allocating resources, and fostering collaboration, the Ministry aims to mitigate the impact of the disease and secure the future of Trelawny’s yam industry for generations to come,” he added.

Yam rust, also known as Goplana dioscorea and Goplana australis, is reportedly caused by a fungal pathogen. Its symptoms include yellow spots or pustules on upper leaf surfaces. The fungus was first spotted in north Manchester, and sections of Clarendon. However, it has since spread to the south Trelawny yam belt.