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Levan Davitashvili: "We can safely say, that the campaign held against the Asian Stink Bug became a raging success, we have saved all agricultural crops "
The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Levan Davitashvili heard the report on the measures taken in 2019 to combat the Asian Stink Bug.
The summing up meeting was conducted at the Coordination Center for the Fight against the Asian Stink Bug in Abasha Municipality. At the meeting, the Minister expressed his appreciation to the emplyees of the National Food Agency and Coordination Center for their endeavors and hard work.
The participants noted, that the number of pests, as well as agricultural crop damage have been significantly reduced due to the large-scale measures implemented by Georgian Government over the past few years. The state will continue taking anti-pest measures next year as well.
“We can safely say, that the campaign against the brown marmorated stink bug became a raging success. Actually, our main objective to save all agricultural crops is already achieved. I would like to express my gratitude to all people engaged in the process, our international partners and donor organizations for providing technical assistance. Moreover, the Department of Plant Protection of the National Food Agency is commanding a great respect across the region, many countries ask to share our successful experience. The provison of technical equipment helped Georgia to move forward and deal with the important challenges. This year we have been able to protect and get a high quality hazelnut crop, that will have a direct impact on the well-being of the population. This year we expect the export to exceed $ 100 million. I would admit, that measures taken against the Asian stink bug will be further continued. It should be noted, that world 's leading entomologists visited Georgia several times this year, they have approved our pest control measures and integrated approach that has become exemplary for many countries. Our future goal is to control the pest population and save the crop from invasive pests, that we jointly achieved in 2019 ”Levan Davitashvili said.
In 2019, anti pest measures were taken in 391 administrative units in western Georgia. Thermal fogging was carried out on 282 930 hectares in Adjara, Guria, Samegrelo and Imereti regions; Cold-spray was used on 141 611 acres in the villages, corn fields and forest perimeter. 4 346 pheromones were placed in the village areas and 91 999 "attract and kill" stations on the forest perimeters.
Asian stink bug was spread in western Georgia in the fall, 2016 and caused a significant damage to the agricultural crops. Georgian Government has immediately started implementing large-scale measures to combat the pest. With the initiative of the National Food Agency of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture and with the support of partner organizations, the world's leading scientists arrived in Georgia, which along with the local scholars helped to develop a a state program. Appropriate budgetary resources were allocated. Moreover, the National Food Agency has enhanced its technical capacities with the support of the donor organizations and the US Agency for International Development (USAID).