Agri Local

Adopt Preventive Approach towards FAW Invasion, Not Combative – Agronomist Urges Farmers

Farmers across the country are being encouraged to adopt a preventive approach towards dealing with the Fall Army Worm invasion rather than the combative approach being adopted by them.

According to Agronomist and PRO for Comos Organic Green Company, the preventive method of address the menace would go a long way in helping the farmers deal with the invasion.

Mr. Samuel Kofi kwakye who spoke in an interview with captain Adabubar on the Rite Morning ride on Monday said the land preparatory stages of farming are the best moments to take preventive steps against the pests.

“Farmers during their land preparation stages should adopt prevent measures before planting or sowing their seeds,” he asserted.

The invasion of the fall army worms in the country is not over contrary to the temporal relief enjoyed by some farmers in the country.

Manager of the Radiation and Entomology and Pest Management Centre at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, GAEC, Dr. Michael Osae in an earlier interaction with Rite FM reawakened anxiety experienced by many farmers and stakeholders in the country at the peak of the invasion in 2017.

Dr. Osae dismissed claims that the pests had been completely eradicated from Ghanaian farms.

On a rather bleak note, Dr. Osae said Ghana’s temperature provided a conducive environment for the thriving of the pests.

The Manager of the Radiation and Entomology and Pest Management Centre at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission said though there was currently no known specific chemical to control the pests, the government has nevertheless recommended some chemicals to manage the situation.

He described the pests as “a voracious feeder that eats a lot,” attacking about eighty (80) different crop types including cereals though maize remains their ‘favorite.’

Dr. Osae however lamented about the lack of adequate funds to conduct proper research into the activities of the pests to combat them.

He however added that the institution is currently engaging research institutions, schools and government to come up with appropriate chemicals capable of controlling the worms that are responsible for the destruction of maize plantations in the country.

The farmers, he said, must continue to manage the situation by using recommended chemicals accordingly and also constantly scout their farms to look out for signs of the fall army worms from the onset.

The pests if discovered can be combated through hand picking in the case of smallholder farmers while large scale commercial farmers can spray affected farms by following strictly prescriptions.

Source: ritefmonline.org

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