{"id":15812,"date":"2025-09-24T12:35:14","date_gmt":"2025-09-24T12:35:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/agriculture.gov.ag\/?p=15812"},"modified":"2025-09-24T12:35:14","modified_gmt":"2025-09-24T12:35:14","slug":"enhancing-the-citrus-industry-in-antigua-barbuda-by-tyreke-g-thomas-horsford","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/agriculture.gov.ag\/index.php\/2025\/09\/24\/enhancing-the-citrus-industry-in-antigua-barbuda-by-tyreke-g-thomas-horsford\/","title":{"rendered":"Enhancing the Citrus Industry in Antigua & Barbuda by Tyreke G. Thomas-Horsford"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Report on Day 1<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Venue: Multipurpose Center<\/div>\n
Facilitator: Dr. Lennox Andrew<\/div>\n
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Day One of Citrus Day commenced at the Multipurpose Center with an informative and interactive session led by Dr. Lennox Andrew, an agricultural specialist with extensive expertise in citrus development.<\/div>\n
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Presentation Highlights<\/strong><\/div>\n
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Dr. Andrew began by introducing participants to the importance of grafting in citrus production, explaining how the technique improves plant resilience, yield potential, and overall productivity. He went on to highlight the critical challenge posed by Huanglongbing (HLB), commonly referred to as citrus greening disease. This disease, spread by the Asian citrus psyllid, is regarded as one of the most destructive citrus diseases worldwide. It affects the tree\u2019s ability to transport nutrients, leading to yellow shoots, misshapen fruit, decline in productivity, and eventual tree death.<\/div>\n
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Practical Session<\/strong><\/div>\n
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To reinforce the knowledge gained, participants were divided into three groups, each assigned to examine different citrus trees. The exercise allowed them to:<\/div>\n
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