Tunisia: Prickly pear industry threatened by tiny insect
A tiny insect is ravaging Tunisia’s prickly pear industry, which is a critical source of revenue for the North African country’s agriculture sector and economy, reported Reuters on the 23rd of July.
The insect, whose scientific name is Dactylopius opuntiae, has devastated vast areas of plantations and caused concerns about its economic impact since it was first discovered in the country in 2021, farmers and agricultural experts say.
The bug sucks the sap from cactus pads, causing yellowing and eventual death of the plants.
Bassem Sahnoun, a struggling farmer stated that the dactylopius opunatiae, known to some as the prickly pear cochineal is his “biggest fear” and that “the fear of the cochineal insect that threatens our harvest” has “caused me insomnia.”
At his farm, Sahnoun takes measures to clean and protect his healthy prickly pear trees. But it will be a daunting task if the crisis persists and keeps drying up prickly pear trees.
“This is our livelihood, it requires a lot of labour, and it’s not just the farmer who benefits from it,” Sahnoun said.
Selma Jridi, who owns prickly pear trees, says the problem is out of her control.
“God’s will prevails, this is God’s judgment. Even the part that grows anew is affected by this disease, it deteriorates as if it had been cut with a saw,” she said.
Agriculture expert, Faouzi Zayani stated that “we are losing our essence” of the popular fruit.
The insect was first discovered in Mexico, where they “treated it and had prevention methods” stated Zayani.
“Then it spread to Morocco in 2015. This insect also came to Tunisia in October 2021 in the city of Mahdia.”
The pears cover approximately 600,000 hectares and are a significant source of income for thousands, particularly women who harvest and sell the fruit.
Zayani estimates that prickly pears represent about 12% of Tunisia’s agricultural land, making it second only to olive trees in agricultural wealth.
Against the backdrop of Tunisia’s beaches, which are being swept away at an alarming rate impacting the tourism sector, Tunisia could struggle financially with the loss of the fruit.
READ: Tunisia’s beaches are being swept away at an alarming rate
In response, the Tunisian government and international organizations are now taking steps to try to mitigate the insect’s impact.
The Food and Agriculture Organization initiated a $500,000 emergency project to introduce biological control methods such as ladybugs, natural predators of the insect.
The Tunisian Ministry of Agriculture is promoting sustainable control measures, including changes in agricultural practices, pruning, and cleaning in production areas.
Reuters.
