BAKU, Azerbaijan, Dec.2
By Tamilla Mammadova – Trend:
This year, Georgia has cultivated 325.7 thousand hectares of land to combat brown marmorated stink bugs, Trend reports with reference to the National Food Agency.
Despite the spread of coronavirus in Georgia, measures against the pest were carried out throughout the year, taking into account the recommendations of the country's Ministry of Health.
About 250 units of specialized equipment were connected to the fight against brown marmorated stink bugs. In Western Georgia (Samegrelo, Guria, Imereti, Racha-Lechkhumi, Adjara), about 325,700 hectares of land have been cultivated in 37 districts. Of these, the thermal fog was used for 213,000 hectares, cold spraying - 48,900 hectares, 45,800 hectares on the perimeter of the village and forest.
In order to reduce the impact of pesticides on the environment, this year the emphasis was placed on the use of so-called station technology. They were placed on the territory adjacent to forests, houses, and internal roads of villages. A total of 107,000 pheromones were identified.
As a result of the work carried out, the number of pests was reduced to a minimum, crops were saved and the farmers received a good and abundant harvest of hazelnuts, corn, and citrus fruits. This had a positive effect on the country's export potential. In particular, from August 1 of this year to November 29, 11,311 tons of hazelnuts were exported, which is 3,060 (37 percent) more than the same period last year. The value of exported hazelnuts reached $59.3 million.
The brown marmorated stink bug appeared in Georgia in 2015. The pest is especially dangerous for agricultural crops; in previous years, it destroys most of the harvest of hazelnuts, citrus fruits, and other crops.
The Georgian government has developed a special project to combat the pest, which provides for three main areas: an active information campaign, full-scale monitoring, and chemical treatment of territories. Georgia's method of fighting bugs is recognized as the most exemplary in the world, and now it shares its experience with other countries.
In August last year, the Georgian authorities announced that the country had finally managed to get rid of the pest. Nevertheless, preventive work will continue.
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