Boosting citrus production in Kenya and Tanzania: ZEF joins international research consortium

December 2014. Citrus is one of the world's major fruit crops, contributing substantially to food and nutrition security. It also ranks first in international trade value among all fruits. In Kenya and Tanzania, citrus belongs to the most popular and produced fruits. Although most of the fruits are consumed locally, local growers have become increasingly keen to target lucrative export markets. However, there has only been marginal improvement in yields over the past years. One of the major causes hindering production, profitability and contribution to economic development in Kenya and Tanzania are insect pests and diseases.

This is where the new research program comes in: ZEF will work out together with<link http: www.icipe.org external-link-new-window external link in new> icipe, <link https: www.tamu.edu external-link-new-window external link in new>Texas A&M University and the <link http: www.citrusres.com external-link-new-window external link in new>Citrus Research International in South Africa integrated control strategies to strengthen citrus production systems in Kenya and Tanzania. They will do so by introducing Integrated Pest Management measures for pests and major citrus diseases - such as the African citrus triozed, Trioza erytreae, the false codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta and the Greening or Huanglongbing disease.

The three-year project will be funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).