ADAFSA strengthens plant health, biosecurity initiatives on International Day of Plant Health

Al Etihad

12-05-2025

12 May 2025 19:25
ABU DHABI (WAM) In celebration of the International Day of Plant Health, observed annually on May 12, the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) reaffirms its commitment to implementing initiatives, projects, and programmes designed to safeguard plant health, combat diseases and pests, and ensure the sustainability of the agricultural sector across the emirate.ADAFSA's plant health preservation efforts include regular crop inspections through farm advisory visits, integrated pest management programmes using modern technologies, and farmer awareness and training programmes.The Authority has adopted a comprehensive strategy to enhance both plant and animal biosecurity in the emirate.In the realm of plant health, ADAFSA enforces specialised programmes to control agricultural pests, notably the Integrated Palm Pest Management Programme.This initiative targets key palm pests such as the red palm weevil, stem and bunch borers, lesser date moth, and date palm dust mite, utilising environmentally safe methods aligned with IPM principles to mitigate economic damage and protect the ecosystem. Palm trees receive particular attention due to their strategic importance in national heritage, biodiversity, food security, and date production.As part of its efforts to combat the red palm weevil, ADAFSA has launched several programmes targeting different stages of the pest's lifecycle, including an intensive trapping programme that relies on pheromone-based traps to monitor and control adult weevils.Over 124,000 traps have been deployed across more than 21,000 farms in Abu Dhabi, resulting in the capture of approximately 11,222,340 red palm weevils since the programme's launch in 2013 and up to the end of 2024.Additionally, the Authority conducts a palm survey programme to detect infestations of red palm weevil and borers, a cornerstone of its pest control efforts.Between 2019 and 2024, these surveys led to the identification and treatment of 267,428 infested palm trees using both chemical and organic pesticides, achieving a 100% treatment rate.This programme is designed to eliminate pest larvae that feed on palm tissues, significantly reducing infestation rates.ADAFSA also implements a programme for the removal and shredding of dead or severely infested palm trees, eliminating 472,092 such trees over the past five years to curb the spread of the red palm weevil. More than 12,000 tonnes of the resulting waste have been repurposed into organic fertilisers.Embracing the IPM concept, ADAFSA integrates economic and environmental practices to sustainably eliminate pests and diseases while minimising risks to crops. The Integrated Palm Pest Management Programme encompasses preventive measures to protect trees, escalating to pesticide application or removal of severely infested trees when necessary.The Authority has developed an emergency response plan for agricultural pests to enhance plant health and control outbreaks in Abu Dhabi's farms, forming a vital component of the biosecurity framework.These efforts have positioned the UAE and Abu Dhabi among the most prepared regions globally to address agricultural pest challenges.ADAFSA is dedicated to adopting best practices and innovative technologies in agriculture, conducting regular pest monitoring surveys, and educating farmers on agricultural practices to reduce pest infestations.The Authority has established a comprehensive database of major agricultural pests in the emirate and published a pest record, serving as a scientific reference and guidance document for researchers and farmers.Furthermore, ADAFSA promotes the use of biological pest control systems to decrease reliance on chemical pesticides and preserve the environment.Agricultural quarantine serves as the first line of defence against agricultural pests, underpinned by a legislative framework and measures to regulate the movement of agricultural materials and prevent the spread of pests to un-infested areas.ADAFSA operates state-of-the-art laboratories equipped with advanced diagnostic technologies to bolster emergency preparedness and response to agricultural pests.
The Authority also boasts a team of specialised experts and three research stations dedicated to examining and diagnosing pests in open fields and greenhouses, with findings informing pest control programmes and the selection of disease- and pest-resistant plant varieties to maximise agricultural productivity.