Contrary to claims made by the Agric Minister, Dr. Akoto Owusu Afriyie that government has eliminated fall armyworms which have plagued farmers since 2017, the Director of the Directorate of Crop Services at the Ministry for Food and Agriculture, Emmanuel Asante Krobea has conceded that the pests cannot be exterminated in the long haul.
According to him, battling what has become the nemesis of his outfit will be like eradicating mosquitoes in the country.
“Fall armyworm are just like mosquitoes, mosquitoes have been with us and they are always there…” he said.
Asante Krobea stated that his outfit is developing a system to prevent mosquitoes from reducing the maize production across the country down adding that “it is not anybody’s wish that fall armyworm will infest maize production across the country”
He was of the view that every Ghanaian must accept that armyworms are always going to be with us therefore it’s about time we accept that and work around it”
The fall armyworm is a hungry caterpillar that eats up crops before it grows into a butterfly. They lay their eggs on seedlings and leaves of plants and within 5 to 10 days, they launch a massive onslaught on food crops.
Ghana is estimated to have lost about US$64 million through the fall armyworm infestation.
The pests, detected in the country some 15 months ago, have since attacked more than 20,000 hectares of farms, nationwide.
Research scientists attached to the Biotechnology Research Programme (BRP) of the Crop Research Institute (CRI), have prescribed a solution - to end the havoc the armyworms have been wreaking on farms.
Despite the various approaches and efforts by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to curb the incidence of these pests, they keep increasing and affecting yields across the country.
Source: Ghanaweb.com
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Not only armyworm planting and jobs has also failed completely. save Ghana from this SUPPER INCOMPETENT government and his boys. I wonder if this man is one of the 110 ministers appointed.
He wants to chopp money on the chemicals used to fight the army worms!!!
He is saying this so that Ghana govt will spend money every time to fight the worms. He gets his CUT from that contract!!!!!
He cannot do the work, yet he is occupying the position and the WHOLE GHANA has to suffer!!!!!
Sack him and bring someone who can deal with the Army Worms. This man cannot do it!!!!
this is biological warfare, they deliberately imported these army worm so that they can help the chemical companies sell their product. It is a conspiracy. They are snakes ripping Ghana offf. God will deal with them
This man is the type of square pegs in round holes we have all over the public service and govt posts in Ghana!!! They cannot do the work but they block the chance for those who can do it, Haba!!!!
Ah, some of our intellectuals too!!! How can army worms (OSA) be like mosquito!!! This man is a disgrace to his profession and to the people of BA!!! Admit your FAILURE and Super INCOMPETENCE!! Shame on you!!!