A pest survey to identify pest population and diseases is being undertaken on mango farms in Mandalay Region, said U Kyaw Soe Naing, secretary of the Myanmar Mango Market and Technology Development Association (Mandalay).
The crop protection group, under the Agriculture Department in Nay Pyi Taw and the mango growers, have been working together on the survey activities starting from early May.
They will undergo laboratory tests for postharvest diseases such as stem-end rot and black spot in fruit. And, they will identify which pest poses a threat and significant economic damage to fruits.
“The post-harvest disease case will be reported to the Agriculture Department. Later, mango farms are facing a mango seed weevil problem. The Crop Protection Group will come to Mandalay Region and buy mango from the designated farms for lab tests. They will analyze the stages of the insect problem. Mango samples will be taken from various places for lab tests. This move is beneficial for the growers,” he elaborated.
Through this pest survey, Myanmar will penetrate more international markets and ensure food safety for the consumers. If mango farms can achieve pest management in the coming years, mango quality will be improved. — Min Htet Aung (Mandalay Sub-Printing House)/GNLM
