A national seminar on monitoring and management of the Tomato Borer (Tuta absoluta) was convened in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Directorate of Plant Protection in Oman during 23 – 25 October, 2011.

Around 100 participants attended the seminar, among them plant protection specialists and technicians from the Directorate of Plant Protection; Plant Protection specialist from different Governorates and agricultural areas; Sultan Qabuos University; Sultani Palace Affairs; Muscat Municipality; Agricultural Companies and Farmers. 

The purpose of the seminar was to raise the awareness among the stakeholders about the new invasive pest already recorded in some neighboring countries and to strength the capacity of the specialist in monitoring and early detection measures. The seminar was followed by a field visit to tomato growing areas in Alabatenah (Barka and Al Suwaik). During the field visit, a number of traps with the pheromones were installed and distributed to the farmers and technicians from the different tomato growing areas for monitoring purpose.