Current status and strategies to avert the risks and losses associated with pests, diseases and natural disasters in coc

1. Current status and strategies to avert the risks and losses associated with pests, diseases and natural disasters in cocoa for the Caribbean Leon Granger CARIBBEAN FINE COCOA CONFERENCE & CHOCOLATE EXPO Jamaica Sep. 2011

2. Focus Update from last Presentation on these Issues Brief Historical Perspective: Problems & Solutions What�s Happening Today: Current Status & Strategies to Avert Risks & Loses from Pests, Diseases, and Natural Disasters 2

3. Update from Previous Presentation - Threats Several Threats to Fine Cocoa were reviewed in a Paper presented at the CFCF Conference at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Trinidad, in 2010 Diseases are of Primary Concern Caribbean & Globally �Main limiting factor and most important threat for cocoa worldwide� (Phillips-Mora, 2008, WCF) 3

4. Brief Historical Perspective: Problems & Solutions Production losses due to: Diseases Three major cocoa diseases affecting the tropics and the Americas: Witches broom, Black pod, and Frosty pod rot Frosty pod rot is not present in the Caribbean Islands Pests Natural Disasters 4

5. 5 There are three major cocoa diseases affecting the tropics and the Americas: Witches broom, Black pod, and Frosty pod rotThere are three major cocoa diseases affecting the tropics and the Americas: Witches broom, Black pod, and Frosty pod rot

6. 6 This map shows the regional distribution of major cocoa diseases This map shows the regional distribution of major cocoa diseases

7. 7 This map shows a region of Latin America where 11 countries are affected � from Peru to MexicoThis map shows a region of Latin America where 11 countries are affected � from Peru to Mexico

8. 8 And this next map shows frosty pod migration from the 1950s to Present Frosty Pod Rot Disease is not new, and actually has been reported since 1851� Spreading generally north and south from a centre of activity. Important questions are: Would it get to the Caribbean? What can we do to protect our precious fine/flavour crop? Can we keep it out? How long can we keep it out? And this next map shows frosty pod migration from the 1950s to Present Frosty Pod Rot Disease is not new, and actually has been reported since 1851� Spreading generally north and south from a centre of activity. Important questions are: Would it get to the Caribbean? What can we do to protect our precious fine/flavour crop? Can we keep it out? How long can we keep it out?

9. Highlights from the Map All pathogens have limited geographic distributions, mostly limited to a specific region This implies that we can contain these diseases and manage them for best productivity 9 Some important highlights from the map are: (1) All pathogens have limited geographic distributions, mostly limited to one continent, (2) This implies that we can contain these diseases and manage them for best productivitySome important highlights from the map are: (1) All pathogens have limited geographic distributions, mostly limited to one continent, (2) This implies that we can contain these diseases and manage them for best productivity

10. GLOBAL THINKING Rehabilitation efforts Biodiversity enhancement Potential for sustainability 10 These problems affect the Caribbean and Global Cocoa farms, and as such we could learn a lot from international efforts Some of the effective strategies used in Global Thinking are Rehabilitation efforts Biodiversity enhancement Potential for sustainability These problems affect the Caribbean and Global Cocoa farms, and as such we could learn a lot from international efforts Some of the effective strategies used in Global Thinking are Rehabilitation efforts Biodiversity enhancement Potential for sustainability

11. What�s Happening Today: Current Status & Strategies to Avert Risks & Loses in the Caribbean from Pests, Diseases, and Natural Disasters 11

12. Focus in the Caribbean Historical Efforts are being Updated New Threats are kept at bay Reducing Vulnerability to Threats Prevention Efforts Mobilizing Crop Protection Specialists 12

13. Updated Historical Protection Strategy Cultural practice Shade reduction Regular harvesting Frequent weed control Other agronomic practices Choice of latest resistant varieties 13 Change picture?Change picture?

14. Key Problems: Threats to Cocoa Production Fungi Insects Birds: Parrots and Woodpeckers Rodents: Rats and Squirrels Natural disasters: Hurricanes and Droughts 14 Let�s take a closer look at threats � specifically fungi, insects, birds, rodents, and natural disastersLet�s take a closer look at threats � specifically fungi, insects, birds, rodents, and natural disasters

15. Disease Triangle In examining diseases Crop protection specialists view components of a disease as a triangle consisting of: Host Pathogen, and Environment 15 As a result of these diseases as threats, Crop Protection Specialists, view components of disease as a disease triangle consisting of: Host, Pathogen and EnvironmentAs a result of these diseases as threats, Crop Protection Specialists, view components of disease as a disease triangle consisting of: Host, Pathogen and Environment

16. New Threats Kept at Bay:Controlling Diseases The Modification, Removal, Reduction, or Elimination of any component of the triangle (Host, Pathogen or Environment) as a management strategy, would result in control of the disease 16

17. Solutions for Witches� Broom Resistant varieties have been the answer for Trinidad and Tobago Jamaica and the Islands north of Grenada are free of the disease and must continue their excellent vigilance All aspects of this complex disease are poorly understood and no firm recommendations on control can be proposed 17 Regarding Solutions for Witches� broom � Resistant varieties have been the answer for Trinidad and Tobago; Jamaica and the Islands north of Grenada are free of the disease and must continue to be vigilant; All aspects of this complex disease are poorly understood and no firm recommendations on control can be proposed Regarding Solutions for Witches� broom � Resistant varieties have been the answer for Trinidad and Tobago; Jamaica and the Islands north of Grenada are free of the disease and must continue to be vigilant; All aspects of this complex disease are poorly understood and no firm recommendations on control can be proposed

18. Averting Risks: Black Pod Disease Shade reduction Drainage of excess field water Pruning Underbrushing and field sanitation Use of resistant varieties Chemical application of copper fungicides 18 The solutions to black pod disease include: Shade reduction; Drainage of excess field water; Pruning; Underbrushing and field sanitation; Use of resistant varieties; Chemical application eg copper fungicides The solutions to black pod disease include: Shade reduction; Drainage of excess field water; Pruning; Underbrushing and field sanitation; Use of resistant varieties; Chemical application eg copper fungicides

19. Parrot Damage Parrots are predominant in Tobago Falconers use their hawks, falcons and eagles to control parrots in bearing fields Pods are being bagged or sleeved for protection against birds and rodents at Dove�s estate in Tobago 19

20. Other Caribbean Strategies Field sanitation Trapping of squirrels and rats in Jamaica Legal removal of hatchlings in Tobago and sold to pet trade for additional income Planting of fruit trees in the State forests to attract vertebrate pests 20

21. Cocoa and Natural Disasters Jamaica is affected by annual hurricanes Ivan and Emily wrecked havoc on Grenada�s farms which are still reviving Tobago has been affected by Hurricane Flora but 45 years later there is still a rebirth in motion 21 A final threat to fine cocoa is natural disasters, specifically hurricanes. Jamaica has been affected by annual hurricanes; Ivan and Emily wrecked havoc on Grenada�s farms which are still reviving; Tobago has been affected by Hurricane Flora but 45 years later there is still a rebirth in motion A final threat to fine cocoa is natural disasters, specifically hurricanes. Jamaica has been affected by annual hurricanes; Ivan and Emily wrecked havoc on Grenada�s farms which are still reviving; Tobago has been affected by Hurricane Flora but 45 years later there is still a rebirth in motion

22. Coping with Hurricanes Plant seedlings or grafted plants Avoid vegetative clones Plant windbreaks Keep cocoa trees pruned and under 12 feet Do sanitary and reconstructive pruning after hurricane damage Natural pruning from hurricanes is followed by an increase in production 22 Some effective strategies for Coping with Hurricanes include: Plant seedlings or grafted plants; Avoid vegetative clones; Plant windbreaks; Keep cocoa trees pruned and under 12 feet; Do sanitary and reconstructive pruning after hurricane damageSome effective strategies for Coping with Hurricanes include: Plant seedlings or grafted plants; Avoid vegetative clones; Plant windbreaks; Keep cocoa trees pruned and under 12 feet; Do sanitary and reconstructive pruning after hurricane damage

23. Controlling Threats: Outcomes Important to control threats because it leads to improved outcomes High crop yields can be achieved, with sustainable agriculture, if plants are protected from pests, diseases, and natural disasters 23

24. Reducing Vulnerability to Threats:Multidimensional Approach Farmer Education New disease resistant varieties Implementation of Best Practices Systematic Field Surveys Early Detection or Prevention 24

25. Efforts Within the Last Year 25 Surveys New Resistant Varieties Focus on the Farmer Understanding the role of the farmer in protection efforts Partnering with Farmers to improve outcomes

26. Crop Protection Measures for Farmers Farmers need crop protection measures: That are affordable so that farmers can take advantage of them Simple Easily applicable Cost effective enable farmers to make profits and prosper Sustainable so that production is also sustained 26 Change picture? Change picture?

27. More Good News 27 Prevention Strategies and Prevention Efforts are producing Improved Outcomes Resistant varieties Innovative Trials New Recommendations based on Specific Soil types , terrain and rainfall

28. New Recommendations for Jamaica 28 ICS 43: Nicaraguan Criollo, similar to ICS 60 which you grow in Jca. Bean Wt: 1.64 g, Pod index 15.6 ( no of pods giving 1 kg dry beans) Excellent flavour profile CC 137: Trinitario, 1547kg/ha/yr, good Black pod resistance (results from Costa Rica) EET 183: Refractario cacao from Ecuador, 1137kg/ha/yr, excellent Black pod resistance PA 71: Good Blackpod resistance and Pod Index, excellent for breeding TSH 774: Excellent Trinitario flavour. Large bean size and low PI 

29. New Varieties 29

30. New Varieties 30

31. Improved Outcomes: New Varieties 31

32. Improved Outcomes: New Varieties 1344 32

33. Improved Outcomes: New Varieties 1380 33

34. Prevention and Intervention Efforts 34

35. Mobilizing Cocoa Specialists Crop protection specialists and Cocoa Extension Officers are critical for increasing awareness, developing partnerships, and identification and evaluation of diseases and continued production of Fine/flavour cocoa. 35 As a result of these diseases as threats, Crop Protection Specialists, view components of disease as a disease triangle consisting of: Host, Pathogen and EnvironmentAs a result of these diseases as threats, Crop Protection Specialists, view components of disease as a disease triangle consisting of: Host, Pathogen and Environment

36. Improving Outcomes 36 In order to improve outcomes against threats � we must have strong partnerships between Government Officers, Researchers, Farmers, Purchasers and a good overall knowledge base of threats and solutionsIn order to improve outcomes against threats � we must have strong partnerships between Government Officers, Researchers, Farmers, Purchasers and a good overall knowledge base of threats and solutions

37. Continued Need for Research Early Assessment of Disease threats Think-Tanks on Viable Prevention Efforts Better Understanding of Routes of Transmission 37 All of this information points to the fact that there is tremendous continued need for research so that there can be early assessment of disease, think-tank workgroups can examine viable prevention efforts, and there can be increased understanding of routes of transmission of diseases and threats to our fine cocoa industryAll of this information points to the fact that there is tremendous continued need for research so that there can be early assessment of disease, think-tank workgroups can examine viable prevention efforts, and there can be increased understanding of routes of transmission of diseases and threats to our fine cocoa industry

38. Crop Protection Measures Outcomes Implementation of crop protection measures important ~ produces desirable results: Plants which grow vigorously Absorb nutrients more efficiently Compete with weeds, and Yield according to environmental constraints 38 Change picture? Change picture?

39. Reducing Vulnerability to Threats:Pests, Diseases & Natural Disasters The Caribbean must mount a campaign to protect its precious crop Losses of 70% -80% reported A viable combination of regional efforts started through the CFCF must be sustained Collaboration is imperative Develop new partnerships for the Caribbean No island can stand alone 39 Given the widespread movement of FPD - It�s important to have effective Early Detection and/or Prevention strategies. Phytosanitary measures are labour intensive; In Trinidad and Tobago this is expensive; The Caribbean must mount a campaign to protect its virtuous and precious crop; A viable combination must be derived; in order for this to happen � we must strongly encourage Regional Efforts; Collaboration is imperative; since No island can stand alone Given the widespread movement of FPD - It�s important to have effective Early Detection and/or Prevention strategies. Phytosanitary measures are labour intensive; In Trinidad and Tobago this is expensive; The Caribbean must mount a campaign to protect its virtuous and precious crop; A viable combination must be derived; in order for this to happen � we must strongly encourage Regional Efforts; Collaboration is imperative; since No island can stand alone

40. Thank You 40