Belated campaign to save the prickly pears of the border zone

Prickly pear growers in the southern border area are eagerly awaiting the implementation of the campaign launched recently by the agriculture ministry to control the widespread cochineal insect (Dactylopius Opuntiae) harming their orchards. During the past five years, to note, nearly 90% of prickly pear cultivations in the different regions, particularly the border zone, were damaged. The Agricultural Scientific Research Department at the ministry of agriculture, Hasbayya Office, has been working for months to produce the natural insect known as Cryptolaemus beetles and scatter them over the infected prickly pears. The campaign is carried out under the supervision of the head of the laboratory for Biological Control, Elie Rmeili, with the help of relevant foreign research labs and experts. Prickly pear farmers in the towns of Kfarshouba, Kfarhamam, Maree, Majidiyeh, Halta and Wazzani have received nearly 100 thousand Cryptolaemus beetles and disseminated them over their plantations with the help of professionals. Another quantity of these insects is expected to be distributed to the remaining villages in Arqoob and Hasbayya districts. In expounding on the situation, one farmer, Samir Youssef described it as catastrophic, particularly that it deprived plant growers of a substantial production in the past five years, with annual losses reaching LBP one to five million. He grieved that some 2800 families who depend on these crops for their livelihood were largely affected. Another farmer, Abu Hassan Hmeid expressed doubt over the success of the above campaign, saying he has to wait for what the coming weeks will deliver. (As Safir, July 11, 2016)