Banana Congress 2024: Sustainability & TR4 Solutions for Global Production

Banana Industry Gathers in Mexico to Tackle TR4 and Sustainability Challenges

The global banana industry will convene in Mérida, Mexico from April 20 to April 23 for the 25th Acorbat International Meeting and the 10th Corbana International Banana Congress. The event aims to address critical issues impacting the sustainability and competitiveness of banana production, with a significant focus on combating the devastating Fusarium Tropical Race 4 (TR4) disease.

The congress will bring together leading experts from across the banana supply chain, featuring presentations from internationally recognized professionals selected by a specialized Scientific Committee. The program is designed to combine scientific advancements, research findings, innovation, and practical experiences from both the production and business sectors.

Corbana’s 45 Years of Research Highlighted

The opening ceremony will feature a keynote address titled “Corbana Costa Rica: 45 Years of research and transfer,” delivered by Rafael Segura, director of research, and Erick Bolaños, director of technical assistance at Corbana. This presentation will likely detail the Costa Rican organization’s long-term contributions to banana cultivation and disease management.

A Deep Dive into Key Thematic Sessions

Over three days, attendees will participate in 10 thematic sessions, encompassing 11 keynote lectures and 25 technical presentations. These sessions will be structured to encourage direct exchange between specialists and participants through analysis and discussion forums. According to Segura, “In a context full of production, phytosanitary, technological, and commercial challenges, it is essential to update knowledge and exchange experiences to allow for in-depth analysis and the development of concrete solutions to the sector’s main challenges.”

Expert Lineup Addresses Global Challenges

The speaker lineup includes a diverse range of experts. Rony Swennen, a specialist in banana genetic improvement at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IIT), will contribute insights into breeding programs aimed at disease resistance. Luis Pocasangre, director general of the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Centre, will likely address broader agricultural research and education needs. Carlos Urias, regional director of plant health at the International Regional Organisation for Agricultural Health, will offer a perspective on regional disease management strategies.

Further expertise will be provided by Altus Viljoen, a researcher at the Department of Plant Pathology, Stellenbosch University; Gert Kema, professor emeritus of plant pathology at Wageningen University and Research Centre; Ronald Romero, former director of research at Corbana and Chiquita, and former global corporate director and CEO of research at Del Monte; and Mariano Jiménez, deputy manager of legal affairs at Corbana. This breadth of experience suggests a holistic approach to the challenges facing the industry.

Fusarium TR4 Takes Center Stage

A primary focus of the congress will be a comprehensive approach to Fusarium Tropical Race 4 (TR4), considered one of the most significant phytosanitary threats to the global banana industry. The program dedicates two specialized sessions exclusively to this topic. The first session will be a roundtable discussion, ‘TR4: Scientific advances, epidemiology, and global management strategies,’ moderated by Miguel Ángel Dita, a phytopathologist and member of the Acorbat International Scientific Committee. This discussion aims to provide a global overview of scientific advancements, the pathogen’s behavior, and international containment strategies.

The following day, the focus will shift to Latin America, examining experiences and lessons learned since the arrival of Fusarium TR4 in the region. This session will also explore key prevention strategies for countries where the pathogen has not yet been detected. This regional focus is crucial, as Latin America is a major banana-producing region and particularly vulnerable to the spread of TR4.

Facilitating International Collaboration

To ensure broad participation, presentations will be delivered in both Spanish and English, with simultaneous translation provided. This accessibility aims to strengthen the international exchange of technical information and foster collaboration among researchers and industry professionals from different countries. The event organizers emphasize the importance of knowledge sharing in addressing the complex challenges facing the banana industry.

Interested parties can register online at www.congresoscorbana.com.

The Acorbat/Corbana congress represents a critical forum for the banana industry to address pressing issues, particularly the threat of TR4, and to collaborate on solutions that ensure the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of banana production globally.