Army worms are at rise in Assin North communities destroying farms leaving nothing for farmers to feed on.
It is not only maize farms that have fallen victims of the army worm’s infestation. other crops like cocoa and cereals have come under intense damage. Large hectares of cocoa, rice and maize farms at Ninkyiso, Yaw-Atta, Teacher Amoah, Kwame Ankra, Twiapiase, Simpa, Kyeanka and Anwiaso have been destroyed by the worms.
According to Nana Issaka Apewosika, the spokesperson of the farmers, the issue was reaching an alarming rate as farmers battled with swarm of worms to save their farm. “It is unbelievable that the worms are not only attacking the maize but also our cocoa farms.” Nana Issaka Apewosika who spoke to the Agric Today added that they have been spraying their farms with chemicals but it has proven futile. He said the destruction of cocoa farms by the worms together with the swollen shoot diseases would affect cocoa production levels.
Most of the farmers complained to Agric Today about the exorbitant price of the recommended chemicals to fight the worms and that most of the farmers are facing financial constraints.
Mr. Prince Osei-Poku, the Assin North Municipal Crops Officer, disclosed that they had run out of the recommended chemicals and that farmers only relied on advisory services his outfit provided them.
the crop officer therefore called on the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) and the Ghana Cocobod to take urgent steps to tackle the worms to stop the invasion of more farms. There should be proper farming education to battle the pests.
