The Agriculture Ministry is urging to farmers and other stakeholders, to unite against the tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta.

The Ministry says over the last decade, this insect has emerged as a significant global threat, infesting 60% of tomato crops worldwide.

It reached T&T in 2022, prompting the Ministry’s Research Division, to implement an Integrated Pest Management plan which includes surveillance and pheromone mass trapping.

Agriculture Minister Kazim Hosein says the threat posed by this insect requires a unified response, and is urging farmers and the public to join in looking out for this pest and implementing the recommended strategies.