CITRUS GREENING OR HUANGLONGBING IN THE CARIBBEAN - FAO's RESPONSE

Abstract

Citrus Greening or Huanglongbing (HLB) is a devastating disease of citrus. All varieties are susceptible and there is no known cure for the disease. Trees decline to uneconomic production levels within 1-10 years, depending on tree age. HLB is spreading rapidly in the Americas (Brazil, United States of America, Mexico, Central America, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Belize and most recently, Dominica and Paraguay). The disease is vectored by the Asian Citrus Psyllid, Diaphorina citri, which is present in many Caribbean islands and increases the risk of introduction and spread of HLB. Based on a request for support from affected Member States, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) implemented two national projects under its Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP). The first project in Jamaica (October 2010 to March 2013) aimed to build national capacity to effectively respond to the HLB. The second project in Belize (February 2012 to July 2013) complemented ongoing activities to better protect the citrus industry. A third project, at a regional level, covering all the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean and led by the FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC) began implementation in December 2012 with a Meeting of the Committee of Experts. This project was the outcome of a Regional Workshop held in June 2011 in Santiago, Chile, at which FAO was mandated to develop and lead a hemispheric effort for HLB management and networking. Some highlights of the three projects are presented.