Headlines:
| Pests affecting Belize’s rice industry |
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| Monday, 17 December 2007 | |
The Belize Agricultural Health Authority says it has
detected the presence of a new pest affecting rice in the country.According to the authority, the pest, known as the Panicle Rice Mite, is a tiny insect-like organism that is related to spiders. The pest feeds on the rice plants, causing the grains to be malformed, discoloured and hollow. Experiences in Central America indicate that it can completely wipe out production if the pest is not properly managed. Farmers have been asked to destroy all plants in or near rice fields. |