Another pest attack has been observed, this time on a different crop and at a different location. AgroNigeria drew the attention of the Akwa Ibom State government to a recent outbreak of pest attack on maize plants in the state. The discovery of the infestation was made in the course of a regular interaction with grass root farmers in the South-South. It was observed that the leaves of maize crops in the neighborhood were highly perforated leaving the foliage damaged and reduced in surface area. No maize stand is spared in the affected areas; whole farmlands are totally affected.
Interrogating a farmer, Mr Sylvester Edward, it was discovered that the damage was caused by a pest attacking the crop. This discovery prompted a state-wide investigation which revealed that maize crops in all the three (3) senatorial districts of the state are equally affected.
In view of the cost of the impending loss due to imminent poor yield and their negative implication on household income with its accompanied ripple effects on the economy, this ugly development was reported immediately by AgroNigeria to the Akwa Ibom State government.
Receiving the information for the first time, the Director, Agric Information Unit in the State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Akwaowo Obot, swung into immediate action, though at the time locked out of office because of Labour strike – “I am going to carry out a confirmation research right away and then get back to the Permanent Secretary so the Ministry of Agriculture can go to the state media and tell farmers what to do.” He, however, decried the closure of the state secretariat where the office of the State Ministry of Agriculture is located because of Labour strike as a possible drawback in treating the challenge with the urgency it requires. He speculated that if the pest is the stem borer, almost 4cm in length, then ventox 45 which is readily available within the state would be the pesticide for control.
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