Citrus growing in Surinam
1981
Samson, J.A. (Landbouwhogeschool Wageningen (Netherlands). Vakgroep Tropische Plantenteelt)
Surinam was first colonized by the English around 1630, but became a Dutch colony in 1667. A plantation economy developed in the coastal plain with sugar cane as main crop and Arabica coffee, cacao and cotton as secondary crops. After a climax in the second half of the 18th century, plantations began to decline. When slavery was abolished (1863) cacao became the main crop, soon to be replaced by Liberica coffee and rice. During the 1930's the price of coffee fell to an extremely low level and citrus was expected to become the main export crop. World War II arrested this development, but in 1946 export was resumed. However, fruit quality was low, decay on arrival in Holland usually exceeding 30%. A modern packing house was built in 1950, but this did not improve matters immediately. Only after research had shown what fungi caused decay and how to control it, rot sharply dropped. Research before and after 1950 is reviewed. Main subjects were: cultivars and rootstocks, propagation and cultivation methods, soils and fertilizers, control of pests and diseases and post-harvest handling. In 1962 virus diseases were discovered, making new stock-scion trials and import of virus-free budwood necessary. When a road made the interior accessible, an experimental station was set up at Brokobaka. This eventually led to the foundation of a large citrus enterprise at Baboenhol. Due to low yields and a disease called 'blight', the project had to be converted into a cattle breeding station. During the 1970's the development of Surinam was greatly hindered by a huge emigration wave. At present, citrus production has dropped so far that there is hardly enough for local consumption.
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