Mindell Small, Contributor
B.G. HAMMOND Farm in Marsh Harbour, Abaco, will be losing an estimated US$8 million to US$10 million in crop sales, as all of its 2,500 acres will now have to be destroyed due to disease.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed the presence of citrus canker at B.G. Hammond Farm on April 25, following an inspection.
The news came just as farm owner, Ben Hammond was preparing for a harvest, which would have been the first seen by the struggling farm in its 22-year existence.
The canker outbreak at the farm is the same one that ruined crops at Bahama Star Farm at Treasure Cay, Abaco (some 30 miles northwest of Marsh Harbour) four months ago.
On December 29, the USDA discovered citrus canker at the 3,000-acre Bahama Star Farm.
All shipments of citrus from Abaco to the United States, the major importer, were then immediately suspended. However, at that time, there was no evidence suggesting that other farms were infected.
HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, V. Alfred Gray, who visited B.G. Hammond Farm last week, told The Guardian on Monday that the government would be doing all that is necessary to rid the farm, the island and the country of the highly contagious canker.
He said because of the nature of citrus canker, his ministry would have to continue surveillance of the entire Bahamas on both private and public property.
Citrus canker is a disease of citrus crops caused by a bacterium known as Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri.
Trees infected can lose their leaves and their fruits tend to appear premature and severely blemished.
The canker can be spread by animals and birds, windborne rain, lawnmowers and other landscaping equipment, as well as by people carrying the infection on their hands and clothing.
In January, following the discovery of the canker at Bahama Star Farm, Minister Gray told the House of Assembly that the outbreak was being controlled due to his ministry implementing strict quarantine methods.
Both B.G. Harmon and Bahama Star Farms specialise in the growing of oranges, tangerines, limes and grapefruits.
Taken from The
Nassau Guardian website
