Adapec carries out inspection in citrus growing areas in Tocantins

The Agricultural Defense Agency (Adapec) is carrying out, this October, the 2nd biannual survey to monitor Citrus Quarantine Pests in Tocantins. In total, around 100 properties in commercial and non-commercial areas will be inspected.

According to the technical responsible for the State Fruit Growing Program, Helcids Sá, this survey, which includes the inspection of all citrus growing areas in Tocantins in commercial and non-commercial areas (home orchards) is one of the requirements of the Ministry of Agriculture (Map ), and is carried out twice a year, where the Agency's technicians carry out monitoring to detect the pests, Citrus Canker and HLB and delimitation of the Pinta Preta pest. In case of suspicion, samples are taken and sent to official laboratories for investigation.

On Tuesday (17/10), the Adapec team was at the Gurita Project, in the municipality of Itapiratins, where there is currently a planted area of ​​40 hectares of orange, lemon and tangerine. “This is an area with great potential for the production of citrus fruits for Tocantins and our objective is to keep the state of Tocantins free from quarantine pests that attack species of the citrus genus, as well as other fruits, therefore, we are carrying out this inspection work throughout the State,” said the technical manager.

The owner of the Gurita Project, Laudemir Marcante, who already has experience in fruit cultivation, highlighted that the investment made in citrus farming aims to grow the sector within the State, and the fact that Tocantins is free from some pests that affect citrus. “This work that Adapec is carrying out is of fundamental importance in this monitoring and phytosanitary control of citrus farming, which can become a great source of income for Tocantins. Citrus farming is one of the most profitable crops, therefore, care must be essential to avoid the presence of pests,” he highlighted.

Quarantine pests

A pest of economic importance, where it is not yet present, or, when present, is not widely distributed and is under official control.