North Shuna, Jordan — Local experts have successfully reduced damage to orchards caused by the Mediterranean fruit fly in the Jordan Valley thanks to the use of the nuclear-based sterile insect technique (SIT) — a form of birth control for flies. Over 1.5 million sterilized flies are released twice a week in the selected area of 400 hectares, leading to the suppression of the fly population. In Jordan, which has 6 000 hectares of fruit orchards, this fly species has damaged over 60% of certain fruit crops — mainly citrus, apricots and peaches — for several years.
“We are facing a serious problem and the SIT has demonstrated success in the selected area,” said Setan Al-serhan, Head of the Plant Pest Control Division at the Ministry of Agriculture.
Release of the adult sterile flies commenced in 1998 and was supervised by the IAEA, in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the Jordanian Atomic Energy Commission. The selected farm area of 400 hectares is in the northern Jordan valley where previously chemical pesticides were used to protect crops. See this video and Birth control of flies for more on SIT.
“My farm has greatly benefited from the project, my fruits are safe from these miserable flies that had previously destroyed our livelihood,” said farmer Moufaq Bashtawi. “In this area — working in high temperatures, a dry climate, are challenges but for me one big problem is solved — the new technology has removed the medfly damage and my orchard is flourishing.”
Bashtawi has seen a remarkable recovery of his citrus farm, where the release of sterilized flies has resulted in the reduction of the fly population. However, he said: “I hope we can eliminate the fruit fly completely in the Jordan valley using the SIT, so all farmers can benefit.”
Based on the success of the pilot project, the Jordanian National Authority has decided to expand the area-wide suppression of the medfly to areas north of the Jordan Valley, Al-serhan said. “By applying the SIT in the selected area, in combination with other sustainable pest control methods, the fly population has been suppressed, leading to fewer fruit losses.”
From lab to field: A pest combats a pest
The IAEA supported Jordan to establish an ‘emergence facility’ in Kraima where the sterilized pupae from neighbouring Israel are produced and received. This lab facility is used for the handling and release of sterile male flies in the select farm areas in the Jordan Valley. Over 1.5 million pupae are delivered for release above selected citrus farms.
