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What is Frosty Pod Rot?
This is a disease caused by the fungus Moniliophthora roreri. The fungus invades actively growing cocoa pods damaging them and the seeds they produce.

Origin and Distribution
The disease first appeared in Colombia in 1817 and has since spread to other South American, Central and North American countries. Some of these are Ecuador, Costa Rica, Panama, Bolivia and Mexico.

How does it Spread?
The fungus produces large amount of spores that are dispersed by wind, water or physical disturbance of the pod. Seed trade, smuggling and other...

Minister of Industry Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon Karl Samuda on Thursday September 29 officially launched Government’s action to eradicate the Frosty Pod Rot of Cocoa Disease which recently emerged in the island.
First suspected to be present in the parish of Clarendon, Frosty Pod Rot attacks the pod of the cocoa and leads to rotting within 3 months and it is estimated that the disease could result in crop losses of up to 80% of the cocoa tree’s production.
Addressing an emergency media briefing at his St Lucia Avenue offices in New Kingston, the agriculture...