More Than 14,000 Light-Traps Distributed on Abu Dhabi Farms
Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Farmers' Services Center (ADFSC) has distributed more than 14,000 light-traps to eradicate pests from date palm trees in the Emirate over the last three years. The project is part of ADFSC's Integrated Management Program of Abu Dhabi's date palm trees. The program is part of a plan to improve agricultural practices and awareness among farmers and increase the quality of locally grown dates and other fresh produce.
ADFSC began to receive the traps from suppliers in batches scattered throughout the year, with 4,000 traps now distributed in the Western Region, more than 1,400 traps in the Al Rahba farming area in Abu Dhabi, 600 traps in Al Khatum, and 8,000 traps in Al Ain.
The campaign will continue until all farms in the Emirate are covered under the ADFSC Date Palm Services Contract. Under the contract the traps are provided once every five years and they are distributed only through Abu Dhabi Farmers' Services Center and its agricultural extension centers, with the process repeated every five years, which is the life span of the trap.
The trap is made of galvanized iron and uses 150-watt lamp and an approved design that was previously used by Abu Dhabi Municipality and the Department of Agriculture in Al Ain.
The traps are used to reduce the spread of fruit stalk borer (bunch borer) and stem borer. The insects are attracted to light at night and fall down when they collide with the panels in the trap's collection bowel, which is filled with water. Traps are connected to a power source to light up the lamp inside them, from dusk to dawn.
Christopher Hirst, ADFSC Chief Executive Officer, said, "The Date Palm Services Contract between ADFSC and local farmers offers a number of services in the integrated management of date palms, which contributes to the continual improvement of the date palms in the Emirate. Pest control is an important aspect of this improvement, creating a better product that meets and exceeds international standards."
There are currently two different varieties of trap been distributed by ADFSC, at pheromone trap and a light-trap.
The light-trap varies from the pheromone trap in that the light-trap attracts borers with light, while the red palm weevil, which is controlled with the pheromone trap, is attracted to the pheromone by a chemical secretion extracted to attract the weevil. When probably installed and maintained, farmers can reduce the numbers of these pests before they infect their date palm trees by using the two traps in unison.
ADFSC experts, throughout Abu Dhabi train farmworkers and help to make them aware of the proper use of the traps, conditions of use and ways to take care and maintain them. Each extension center takes care of a group of farms, follows up on their acquisition of traps, their operation, and provides technical support and advice to farmers.
© Press Release 2014
