News

Introduction of Parasitoid Wasps for control of
Pink Cassava Mealybugs in Lao PDR

Recent surveys in cassava fields confirm the presence of Pink Cassava Mealybug (Phenacoccus manihoti) in Lao PDR. About 200 ha of cassava fields in surveyed provinces (Vientiane Capital, Savannakhet, Champasak and Salavan) were infested with this invasive pest. Severe plant damage (stunting and foliar/stem deformation) resulting from mealybug infestation was occassionally observed.
Cassava planting area has doubled from 16,000 ha in 2010 to 30,000 ha in 2011, underlining the importance of this crop for the agricultural sector in Lao PDR. Within the context of FAO regional project TCP/RAS/3311, parasitoid wasps (Anagyrus lopezi) were recently introduced from Thailand into Lao cassava fields.  
With technical assistance from the Thai Department of Agriculture, 1,000 pairs of parasitoids were imported into the Lao PDR on 19 December 2011. 200 pairs are being mass reared at the Plant Protection Centre (PPC) in Salakham and 800 pairs were released in PCM-infested cassava fields at 3 pilot release sites in Veuankham Village (Xaithany District) and Somsavath Village (Pakgnum District) of Vientiane Capital on 20 December 2011.

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FAO Participates in Regional Symposium on High Value Vegetables in Southeast Asia: Production, Supply and Demand Chiang Mai, Thailand, 24-25 January 2012 Vietnam Holds National Field Day on Minimum Tillage on Potato Production Hanoi, Vietnam, 12 January 2012 Introduction of Parasitoid Wasps for control of Pink Cassava Mealybugs in Lao PDR TTDI Hosts Regional Workshop on Curriculum Development for IPM-FFS and ToT on Cassava Production and Pink Mealybug Management 21-25 November, Korat, Thailand Mid-Term Evaluation of Regional Programme“Towards a Non-Toxic Environment in Southeast Asia” 3-19 November 2011, Bangkok, Thailand Mini TOT on Fruit Fly IPM in Vientiane Province, Lao PDR (3-7 October 2011) Regional Studytour cum Curriculum Review Workshop on FFS for Fruit Fly IPM Kandal and Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 8-10 September 2011 Kampong Cham Organic Chilli Farmers Hold Reflection Workshop Kampong Cham, Cambodia, 7-8 September 2011 IPM Updates at 27th Session of the Asia and Pacific Plant Protection Commission Mania, Philippines, 15-19 August 2011 Regional Training Course on Identification of Cassava Mealybugs and their Management Chonburi, Thailand, 1-5 August 2011 FAO Regional Workshop on Curriculum Development for Pesticide Risk Reduction Kunming, Yunnan, China PR, 29 June-01 July 2011 FAO-IPM participates in APCC Consultation on Phytoplasma Diseases in Coconut, Lunuwilla, Sri Lanka, 15-17 June 2011 FAO Holds Inception Workshop of Regional Technical Cooperation Project on Spread, Prevention and Management of Cassava Pink Mealybug in the Greater Mekong Subregion Bangkok, Thailand, 31 May-2 June 2011 ASEAN Centre Biodiversity (ABC) recognizes School and Community Agro-Biodiversity Conservation Project in Davao del Norte. Manila, Philippines, 31 May 2011 China launches nation-wide initiative to upscale Farmers Field Schools, Beijing, April 2011 FAO Participates in The Sixth International Workshop on Management of the Diamondback Moth and Other Crucifer Insect Pests Kamphaeng Saen, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, 21-25 March 2011 MAFF Holds 2011 National Farmer Forum Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 21-22 February 2011 FAO-RAP Approves Project for Spread Prevention and Management of Cassava Pink Mealybug in GMS Bangkok, Thailand 8 February 2011 Pesticide Regulation Brings Laos in Line with World Standards Vientiane Times, 28 January 2011 Regional Training on IPM for Fruit Fly Tien Giang, Vietnam, 7-14 December 2010 450 Years Vientiane: IPM presentation at Thatluang Festival, 19 November 2010 Regional Meeting on Community Education for Pesticide Risk Reduction Hanoi, Vietnam, 15-17 November 2010 Kampong Cham Organic Chilli Farmers Hold Reflection Workshop Kampong Cham, Cambodia, 27 October 2010 Agro-Biodiversity Conservation and Pesticide Impact Assessment Project in Davao Del Norte, Philippines Inception Workshop--Area-wide Integrated Pest Management of  Fruit Flies in the Greater Mekong Subregion AIT, Bangkok, Thailand  1-3 September 2010 FAO Holds Technical Consultation and Debriefing of Technical Cooperation Project Formulation Mission on Ecological Management and Biological Control of Cassava Pink Mealybug Bangkok, Thailand, 14-16 June 2010 FAO-China Technical Cooperation Project "Action Research and Training for Prevention and Management of Actinidia Root Rot Disease among Smallholder Farmers in LeyeCounty, GuangxiProvince" is declared operational! Regional Meeting on Community Education forPesticide Risk Reduction Vietnam, 4-5 June 2010 BARI Organizes Workshop on Mass Rearing and Utilization of Earwigs as a Biological Control Agent Joydevpur, Bangladesh, 20-22 April 2010 Vietnamese IPM farmers reap benefit from Minimum Tillage Potatoes in Rice-based Farming Systems , Thai Binh, Vietnam, 12 March 2010 ToT Field Day and Stakeholders’ Meeting of Pesticide Risk Reduction Programme under One UN Plan-2 Held in Thai Binh, Vietnam on 11 March 2010 Diadegma Semiclausum Continues to Do Its Work in Doi Angkhang Chiangmai, Thailand, January 2010 Regional Meeting on Community Education for Pesticide Risk Reduction Guilin, Guangxi, China PR, 19-23 October 2009 Capacity Building and Policy Reform for Pesticide Risk Reduction in Vietnam Under One UN-2 Initiative Vietnam, September 2009 APPPC Holds 26th Session in Delhi 31 August-4 September 2009 Cambodia Study Tour to Thailand on Organic Chilli Production and Marketing Thailand, 25-29 August 2009 Vietnam’s PPD Holds National Workshops on Strengthening the National Food Safety Programme through Pesticide Risk Reduction and Safe Vegetable Production Vietnam, 31 July 2009 Cambodia National IPM Programme Collaboration with FAO GCP/RAS/217/IFA on Organic Chilli Production and Marketing Cambodia, 7 July 2009 Vietnam National IPM Programme and SEARICE hold Project Self-Assessment and National Consolidation Workshop Hanoi, Vietnam, June 19, 2009 Asia Participation in IPM Week Rome, 25-29 May 2009 Vietnam National IPM Programme and CGFED Organize “Workshop on Potential Impacts of Pesticide Use in Agricultural Production to Health of Vietnamese Women, Food Security and Food Safety" Hanoi, 8 May 2009 Iran IPM Team Study Tour to Vietnam 7-14 May 2009 Producer Profit Replaces Profligate Pesticide Use Vientiane Times, 10 April 2009 Final Evaluation Review of FAO Regional Vegetable IPM Programme (GCP/RAS/209/NOR), 25 February 2009 Thailand’s Royal Project Foundation (RPF) Supports Biocontrol and Market Access for IPM Farmers in Petchabun, January 2009 Cambodia MAFF Minister Visits IPM Farmers, 28 December 2008 Workshop on Opportunities and Challenges for Promotion and Sustainable Production and Protection of the Potato Crop in Vietnam and elsewhere in Asia Dalat, Vietnam, 25-28 November 2008 Bi-Annual Regional Meeting for the FAO Vegetable IPM Programme Bangkok, Thailand, 12-14 November 2008