For the first time in history the horticultural industry in Tanzania has been granted a permit by the government of Tanzania through the Ministry of Agriculture Food Security and Cooperatives to conduct efficacy trials for the biological control agents in the country.

Insect that are used to destruct pest in the crop production for horticulture including: Spidex (Phytoseiulus persimilis), Spical (Neoseilus/Amblyseius californicus), and Swirski-mite plus (Amblyseius swirskii).The Executive Director for Tanzania Horticulture Association (TAHA), Jacqueline Mkindi, the move has come as a result of TAHA's three consecutive years of pushing and convincing the government that the biologicals are important in the sector especially now when there is increasing consumer awareness on food and environmental safety. "These efforts are all in line with the local and international market standards agenda of conforming to the Maximum Residual Levels (MRLs)," Mkindi explained.TAHA has been tirelessly working with the supplier of Biological control agents, Koppert (K) limited under the technical assistance of a local company Eco Agri consult based in Arusha.

The trials are now conducted in the two flower companies, Mount Meru Flowers Limited and Tanzania Flowers Limited respectively.

Some TPRI researchers have been mandated by the government to closely monitor the trials and report to the government on the findings of the trials before a commercial permit on the usage of those biologicals is issued to the industry. The trials which started this month will last for about 2-3 months.The industry is expected to make the second release of the Biological Control Agents at the Mount Meru Flowers Limited tomorrow."We, TAHA are requesting you as a key stakeholder to support us as we start to enjoy the fruits of the hard work by sharing this good news to Tanzanians and other stakeholders through your media," she stated.

Source: allafrica.com