Egypt’s agriculture ministry launches campaign against tomato leafminer in Upper Egypt

The Ministry of Agriculture has begun an awareness campaign to protect 60,000 feddans of tomatoes from the Tuta absoluta pest, exacerbated by climate change.

• The Ministry of Agriculture, through its Agricultural Services Sector, launched an extensive awareness campaign in Upper Egypt to combat Tuta absoluta, the tomato leafminer.
• Dr. Ahmed Rizk, head of the sector, said the campaign targets approximately 60,000 feddans of tomato crops in Upper Egypt.
• Rizk stated that climate change has increased the pest's annual generations from 13 to between 15 and 16, heightening its activity.
• He added that the campaign began more than a week ago, coinciding with the end of the current growing season and preparations for the new planting.

Latest developments

• The Ministry of Agriculture has begun preparing an integrated early detection program for Tuta absoluta using pheromone traps to monitor pest levels.
• Ahmed Rizk stated that current infestation rates remain below the economic injury threshold, reflecting the success of preventive measures.
• The program follows a broader initiative with the Japan International Cooperation Agency to enhance market-oriented agriculture in Arab countries.