Monday, 22 Jamadilakhir 1433 / 14 May 2012
The Opening Ceremony of ‘Training Course on Identification, Biology and Control of Phytophagous and Predatory Mites’ has taken place in Rimba Horticultural Centre, gadong, Department of Agriculture and Agrifood, Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources. The training course will be conducted from 14 May – 23 May 2012 at the Laboratory of Department of Biology, University Brunei Darussalam. The training course which will be attended by officer and staff of Department of Agriculture and Agrifood, Universiti Brunei Darussalam and lecturer from Wasan Vocational School will includes both theory and practical training to build specific skills on detection, identification, collection and curation of mite species which infested most crops in Brunei Darussalam.
Present as the Guest of Honour to officiate the ceremony was Yang Mulia Dayang Hajah Normah Suria Hayati binti PJDSMDSU (Dr.) Haji Mohd Jamil Al-Sufri, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources. Also in attendance were Awang Haji Mohammad Sufri bin Abdullah, the Acting Director of Agriculture and Agrifood, Heads of Departments from Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources and senior officer and staff from the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood.
The training course is part of the activities of Consultancy Project ‘Reduction of Pesticide Residues on Economic Crops through the use of IPM Methods and Strengthening Capabilities in insects Identification and Collection Management’, conducted by CAB International Southeast and East Asia. The main objective of the training course is to enhance the knowledge and expertise of the officers and staff of Department of Agriculture and Agrifood on proper collection and identification techniques of mite species commonly found in fruits and vegetables.
Various topics that will be covered during the training course include:
• Introduction to mite species on morphology, biology and ecology; and their economic importance. • Management and control of mite infestation and pesticide application technology (PAT) in mites control.
• Fundamental of mite collection, preservation and preparation of specimens for study on slide for identification and future references.
The benefits of the training course are :
• Participants will acquire knowledge in collecting, curating and identifying mites on fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants. • Acquired knowledge could be shared and delivered to framers and general public.
• Competency on management and control of mites as well as pesticide application techniques will enhance the implementation of Integrated Pest Management Program. • Publication of training manual and identification key of phytophagous mites commonly found in Brunei Darussalam as a reference material for various departments, farmers and general public.