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Taiwan Technical Mission of in Belize introduced Taiwan’s “Formosana, AAA” to enhance the capability of Belize bananas to resist Fusarium TR4 of Banana
Assisting Belize in combating the “Fusarium TR4 of banana,” Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) of the TaiwanICDF has introduced rapid molecular detection technology to improve disease diagnosis efficiency. Utilizing multi-temporal satellite map analysis technology from the Taiwan Space Agency (TASA), they have established early warning capabilities for banana plantations. In 2023, the TTM introduced the disease-resistant “Formosana, AAA” banana variety, bred by the Taiwan Banana Research Institute, and conducted adaptation trials in cooperation with private banana farmer organizations. Through public-private cooperation, Formosana, AAA bananas were harvested in May this year and delivered to the UK for quality testing.
In the future, if the Formosana, AAA bananas pass the quality inspection and is approved for British procurement department, it would provide new hope for Belizean banana industry through large-scale production of Formosana, AAA bananas instead of available varieties should a Fusarium TR4 epidemic occur in the future. This initiative will help protect farmers’ interests and support national economic development.
As the world’s second-largest banana export region, accounting for about 30% of global exports. Belize’s banana industry, valued at approximately US$45 million annually and representing 20% of the country’s agricultural output, primarily exports to the EU. However, in recent years, the industry has been severely threatened by Fusarium wilt. While no cases have been found in Central America yet, an outbreak could collapse Belize’s banana industry and significantly impact its agricultural income. Since 2022, the TaiwanICDF has partnered with the International Regional Organisation for Plant and Animal Health (Organismo Internacional Regional de Sanidad Agropecuaria, OIRSA) to implement the “Regional project for the Prevention and Control of Fusarium TR4 of Banana in Central America”. This initiative promotes regional control of Fusarium wilt, aiding Belize in combating the disease and securing its agricultural future.
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- Update: 2024/07/05
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