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Februarie 2015
Piesangboere trap suutjies teen Panama-pes Die gevreesde Panama-siekte by piesangs in Mosambiek is onder beheer, maar dis geen waarborg dat die pes nie na Suid-Afrika kan versprei nie. ‘n Enkele verkeerde voetspoor kan die swam hier laat beland. Piesangboere in Tzaneen en Mpumalanga hou asem op vir die patroon wat die verspreiding van die siekte in die toekoms kan inhou. Die TR 4-swam het reeds groot
vernietiging in die Ooste agtergelaat en het sy eerste Afrika-kuierplek in Mosambiek gekry. ‘n Piesangprodusent van Tzaneen, mnr Francois Vorster van Mahela Boerdery, sê daar is groot waardering vir owerhede en navorsers wat ingespring het om die Panama-verwelksiekte in Mosambiek te beperk tot die nagenoeg sestig ha waar dit uitgebreek het. Die beheer moet egter baie intensief wees, want selfs ‘n modderspoor uit ‘n stewel kan die swam uit ‘n besmette gebied dra en elders versprei.
Meer as 40% van Mosambiek se piesangs word in SuidAfrika bemark. Dit kom egter uit die suidelike dele van Mosambiek, waar die swam nog nie vastrapplek gekry het nie. Met die vrye beweging van werkers in Mosambiek is enigiets egter moontlik en produsente in SA hou die situasie fyn dop. ‘n Vroeë verskynsel van die swam, die TR 1, het etlike dekades gelede groot verwoesting in Suid-Amerika gesaai en is ook in Limpopo en die res van Afrika teenwoordig. Dit het egter nie ‘n invloed op die Cavendishvariëteit waarmee hoofsaaklik geboer word nie.
New group to break avo export barriers A pioneer committee was established by SA and the United States to obtain the necessary approvals for the importation of Hass avo’s into America. This is the first agricultural committee of its kind between the two countries and could pave the way for other African countries such as Kenia, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zimbabwe to enter the US markets. Co-chairman of the US-SA Avo Committee (USSAAC),
Mr Zac Bard of Westfalia, told Fresh Fruit Portal it signals an exciting new era of innovation and partnership in bringing high quality SA avo’s to America. USSAAC comprises top US and SA grower, packer, exporter and importer companies. The other binational co-charman is Mr Jim Donovan of Mission Produce in California. The animal and plant health inspection services of
America’s department of agriculture and SA’s agriculture department (DAFF) are in the process of developing a pest risk assessment in order to export Hass avo’s to America. Other South African members in the committee include Messrs Mark Baker of HL Halls in Nelspruit, Trevor Dukes of Univeg in Tzaneen, Clive Garrett of ZZ2 in Mooketsi and Wiedse Kruger of Afrupro in Tzaneen.
Minister Zokwana invited to open summit Bookings for the summit are nearly Citrus producers responded well on the announcement of a summit meeting completed, although a few reservations which will be held by the Citrus Growers are still available. The minister of agriculture, Mr Senzeni Association in Phalaborwa on 11 and 12 March. Zokwana, has been invited to open the
summit officially, while Ms Carolina Dawson, a researcher at the world renowned CIRAD in Paris, France, will outline the trends that will frame the future of the global citrus world. This was announced by the CEO of the CGA, Mr Justin Chadwick, last week. He predicted that Dawson’s presentation will be the talking point for a long time to come. Growers are also encouraged to contact Mr Fanie Meyer on 082 855 9949 to be included in the golf day preceding the summit on 10 March, which will be played on one of South Africa’s best golf courses in Phalaborwa. Minister of agriculture Senzeni Zokwana Photo: http://www.gcis.gov.za