National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST), the Taiwan Banana Research Institute, and the Central American Regional International Organization for Agricultural Health (OIRSA) are working together to train dogs to detect Panama disease pathogens (Foc. TR4), and improve monitoring capabilities by applying innovative strategies. In a partnership that is adding depth to international cooperation in the area of agricultural technology, the trio hopes to help friendly countries deal with major challenges in the banana industry. On September 9 (2024), NPUST’s president, Chin-Lung Chang, and CEO of OIRSA, Mr. Raúl Antonio Rodas Suazo, jointly signed a research cooperation agreement with a number of university representatives present to witness the occasion.
In his remarks at the ceremony, President Chang stated that “today marks the beginning of a cooperative relationship between OIRSA and NPUST in which we will be working together for academic exchange and the innovation and advancement of agricultural technology. By establishing this partnership, we are taking an important step towards the enhancement of practical international agricultural development. We look forward to a fruitful collaboration and the fostering of deeper connections and closer friendships.”
Panama disease (Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.cubense) Tropical race 4, also referred to as “Foc TR4”, is a serious threat to the global banana industry as it can result in enormous economic loss. To address this challenge, NPUST is working the Taiwan Banana Research Institute to train dogs to detect Foc TR4 pathogens and improve disease monitoring while also promoting the sustainable development of the global banana industry.
The Central American Regional International Organization for Agricultural Health (OIRSA) was founded in 1953 and is committed to improving the health the public through agricultural product safety and epidemic prevention in nine Central American member countries (Belize, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, El Salvador, Mexico and Costa Rica). For the current initiative, OIRSA is supporting the NPUST Department of Tropical Agriculture and the Working Dog Training Center through grants which will be used for research on Panama disease detection. Hopes are that this new partnership, will lead to more innovative applications of agricultural science and technology and contribute concrete results to the sustainable development of the global banana industry.
