The screwworm plague has affected 250 of the 500 hectares of avocado in the municipality of Atlixco, Puebla. According to Salomon Juarez Cruz, representative of the association El Mejor Clima, producers in this region are analyzing options to eradicate the infestation.

Juarez Cruz said the total avocado production in the valley of Atlixco, which includes the municipalities of Tochimilco, Cohuecan, San Juan Tianguismanalco, Atlixco, Huaquechula and Santa Clara Ocoyucan, amounted to 1,700 hectares.

Only 3 of the 6 districts in the area are free of this pest that damages the avocado fruit, these districts are Tochimilco, Cohuecan and Tianguismanalco.

The infested crops are in Huaquechula, Ocoyucan and Atlixco, the latter of which presents the highest infectation as the pest has affected 50% of its crops.

Facing this problem, Juarez Cruz said the Plant Health Committee in Michoacan held a meeting with the producers from Puebla, where they presented and discussed measures to eradicate the pest.

He stressed the importance of finding an effective solution against the screwworm, as it is preventing them from exporting their avocados, thus affecting the farmers' and the region's economy.

Finally, the head of Agriculture in Atlixco, Lorenzo Ortega Diaz, recalled that the producers had to meet a series of guidelines in order to export their products, a situation that is complicated by the presence of infestation.

Source - http://www.freshplaza.com