MUNZSSInlD - usaid

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Science and Technology has expertise to lend to EXITOS, for example, and
USDA-OICD maintains an active list of experts to draw upon to address specific
problers.
Linkages to Regional and Local Programs. Most pesticide-related demands
and will
can
be addressed by existing regional and local resources.
organizations Local
have collectively developed an excellent capacity
better pesticide
to promote
use. Promotion by the organizations of
producer
better
groups,
selection
improved
of
crop protection programs, timely
current
information
pesticide
on
regulations, pesticide residue
awareness
monitoring,
on export
and more
quality
general
requirements, have all contributed
awareness to
in
a
the
higher
agricultural community of the problems associated
detentions
with
and
export
have as an objective the lowering of detention incidents.
During implementation, EXITOS will act as a broker directing
pesticide-related demands towards appropriate regional and local reference
groups. This will be consistent with the progress realized under PROEXAG in
developing these networks. The CATIE and EAP programs will be major targets
for collaboration, and NTAE counterpart organizations--through their technical
assistance and quality assurance programs--will be involved as needed. The
University of Costa Rica Diagnostic Center and FHIA (Honduras) also have
research and extension centers with the programmatic capacity to contribute to
the effort. Specialized EXITOS consultants may coordinate their country
visits and technical involvement--as appropriate--with established and more
permanent IPM and regulatory programs.
IPM Commodity Activities. IPM appears to have an important role to play in
the long-term sustainability of NTA crops in Central America. Regional
networks around specific crops or themes will be promoted as appropriate, with
select country or regional organization. assuming lead responsibility in
carrying out IPM technical activities. The recently organized Regional Melon
Crop Protection Network in a good illustration, and another is EAP, CATIE and
the University of Costa Rica which share responsibility for research and
training in melon virus control. FUSADES, FPX and CINDE contribute to this
collaboration, and annual planning and information meetings are held and
attended by scientists, producers, and development support organizations.
There is already evidence of potentially significant IPM-based technical
contributions to reducing virus problems in-melons and, concomitantly,
diminishing pesticide use on this crop. EXITOS will support these activities
as appropriate during Project implementation.
Introduced Cultivar3. Under EXITOS, any cultivars introduced Into the region
will subscribe tothe procedures established by that country's official
quarantine and certification programs. As appropriate, EXITOS will
collaborate very closely with the respective host country research entities in
the testing and application of these new cultivars. EXITOS will continue the
PROEXAG practice of providing plant and seed materials to these research
institutions whereby parallel but mutually reinforcing trials may be
undertaken.