News
Coordination headquarter to combat the Asian Stink bug is apparently working vigorously
The Prime Minister of Georgia, Mamuka Bakhtadze together with the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Levan Davitashvili visited Abasha municipality to get closely acquainted with the activities of the coordination headquarter (management center), which is implementing effective measures to prevent and combat the Asian stink bug invasion in the region.
Moreover, with the support of the international partners and donor organizations, Georgia has immediately started to fight against the brown marmorated stink. For the third year in a row, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture has been actively implementing measures against the dangerous pest.
In 2018, the coordination headquarter was established in Abasha Municipality to effectively plan and implement pest control measures and combat the pest. The center operates till today. The SMS system and a special website have been created to raise awareness and provide a comprehensive information to residents. The meetings with local residents as well as active information campaigns are held on a daily basis. The local self-government bodies are engaged in the planning and implementation of the events.
A was mensioned by Levan Davitashvili, according to the estimation made by the World’s leading experts and representatives of the International Plant Protection Organizations, Georgia has achieved tangible positive results in the fight against the brown marmorated stink bug in the unprecedentedly short period of time.
“The donor organizations and USAID made a significant contribution in the effective implementation of measures, through their support, we have been able to enhahnce technical capacity of the National Food Agency. In 2017, 17 units of specialized equipment were involved in the pest control activities, however, in 2019, more than 250 units of equipment were mobilized in the region. The increased amount of technical equipment has allowed us to reduce the spread of the pest in western Georgia to the greatest degree’’.
At present, 125 370 hectares of land are processed by thermal fogging in west part of Georgia. 36 800 traps "Attract and kill" are allocated in the region, through which the pest control treatments are applied on over 22 405 ha of land area (out of which, forest area- 8 483 ha; cornfields - 33 425 ha). 3074 pheromones are allocated in the village areas to implement the monitoring of the brown marmorated stink bug.