The Organic Agriculture Committee of the Valencian Community (CAECV), entity in charge of the control, certification, representation, defense, research and promotion of organic products of the Valencian Community, in collaboration with the Organic Agriculture Research Institute (FiBL), one of the main information and research centers on organic farming in the world, and the Ecological Production and Innovation Service of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, Climate Emergency and Ecological Transition, organizes next June 2, at 3:00 p.m., the webinar “The challenge of fighting emerging pests and diseases: The Huanglongbing (HLB) case of citrus in Mexico and Spain”.
Among the objectives of the online conference, which is completely free, is to publicize the situation of HLB and its vector, both in Mexico and in Spain, in addition to exchanging knowledge and experiences on its management in organic citrus farms.
During the session, practical results that can be put into practice by farmers will also be shown and synergies will be sought for future projects. It must be taken into account that this pest, which is difficult to control, affects the useful life of plants, both young and old, of all citrus and hybrids, causing their death in the course of a few years. It is considered one of the most destructive diseases of citrus in the world.
Prestigious experts will be present, including Thomas Bernet, deputy director of the International Cooperation Department and Leader of the FiBL Value Chains and Markets Group, who will be in charge of presenting and introducing the webinar.
To analyze the situation of HLB in Mexico, the participation of Carlos Castillejos, from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, Alejandro Pérez, associate research professor of the Postgraduate College of Mexico, Marco Antonio Salazar, from Citrex Mexico or Mario Alberto Franco , technical head of the industrial technical promoter Ultraquimia.
To discuss the concept of comprehensive management of HLB and its vector in organic citrus, Salvador Garibay, from the FiBL Department of International Cooperation, will participate.
The situation of HLB in Spain will be analyzed by Vicente Faro, president of the Ecological Agriculture Committee of the Valencian Community (CAECV), Mª Ángeles Forner, researcher at the Valencian Institute of Agricultural Research (IVIA), Vicente Dalmau, of the Plant Health Service of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, Climate Emergency and Ecological Transition and Vicente Navarro, researcher at the Polytechnic University of Valencia.
The conference, mainly aimed at organic citrus producers, the juice and fresh fruit industry, traders, researchers, universities, advisors and institutions working on the management of HLB and its vector in citrus cultivation worldwide, is part of the activities of Bio Week, an event held from June 2 to 9 that aims to raise awareness about the benefits of organic farming and food, without forgetting the importance of research in everything that involves the organic sector.
All those who are interested in participating in the webinar can do so by connecting directly to the online session next Thursday, June 2, starting at 3:00 p.m. (expected end time at 8:00 p.m.), through the following link: https://zoom.us/j/8804548489
See the full program: Programa
