EU Preferential Partners in Search of New Policy Strategies for Agriculture: The Case of Citrus Sector in Trinidad and Tobago



With the coming on stream of production from the groves of Caroni Ltd., deliveries to the processing
plant peaked to over 12.000 tons in 1996/1997. Since then, however, there has been a steady decline to
some 4.200 tons in 2000/2001, about the same amount delivered to the marketing channels for fresh
produce. This reduction in production is mainly attributed to infestations (Citrus Leaf Miner, Citrus Black
Fly, Citrus Tristeza Virus, foot rot diseases) now affecting groves planted prior to 1994 and developed on
Sour Orange Rootstock. More generally, improvements are needed also for plant quality, replacement of
old trees, agronomic practices, credit terms, technical backstopping and reductions in
praedial larceny, if
the industry is to survive.

In particular, with the exception of the orchards of Caroni Ltd, most citrus fields are old, minimally
maintained or abandoned. Some growers apply agro-techniques to enhance yields and the Ministry’s
attempts to mitigate against some diseases through the provision of virus-free budwood and the
introduction of exotic parasitoids against specific targeted pests (e.g. mealy bug) are having some impact.

The data suggest high rates of loss of plants planted by citrus farmers. Approximately 1.565 million
citrus plants were sold to farmers during the ten-year period, 1985-1994 - 1.304 million were sold by the
Ministry of Agriculture and 0.261 million by private nurserymen. Even with a 20% rate of loss that
number of plants should have resulted in the establishment of 4,000 ha of citrus planted pure stand at a
spacing of 5.4m x 5.4m (18 ft x 18 ft). Given that there existed 5,275 ha of citrus in mostly old and aging
grooves in the year 2000, the data suggests an exceedingly high rate of loss of citrus plants during the
establishment phase. This could be attributed to:

1. Poor quality and disease infected plants supplied to farmers

2. Planting in poor soil conditions - e.g., poorly drained soils

3.      Fires

4. Inadequate management and neglect after planting

5.     Damage by insect (primarily bachacs) and other pests

The establishment of a citrus orchard is a long term, costly investment, therefore, the production of
high quality plants must be integral to the rehabilitation of the industry. Consequently, the future of the
industry depends on resolving this quality issue through, for example, the establishment of a mandatory
health certification scheme for citrus plants.

Citrus performs best under sub tropical conditions on deep, slightly acidic well drained and well-
aerated soils. However, a substantial amount of the orchards in T&T are situated on heavy acidic clays
with impeded internal drainage.

Most citrus orchards in T&T are poorly managed and maintained. In many cases maintenance of
orchards is carried out as a prelude for harvesting rather than as part of the management regime required
to obtain good yields. Poor husbandry practices, as they relate to fertilizer application rates and the use of
pesticides, is minimal and further influence premature ageing of trees and low yields.

The recommendations for orchard management in T&T emphasize the following practices:

1. Proper drainage, for orchards planted on heavy clays on flat land. Drainage of
channels should be established on either side of a row of trees to increase soil aeration,
decrease excessive humidity of the fields and prevent foot and root rot and other
diseases and/or planted on cambered beds.

2. Adequate weed control since excessive weeds prevent the quick run off of water
from the fields, compete for soil nutrients and harbour pest and disease organisms.

3. Application of fertilizers with the specific formulation dependent on the nutrient
profile of the soil and other soil characteristics. It has been found that, while 62% of



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