The Katsina State chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria has asked the state government for help in dealing with worms that are destroying crops in their farmlands.
The chairman of the association in Katsina State, Yau Umar-Gojo-Gojo, briefed journalists to this effect last Wednesday in Katsina.
According to him, the worms had already invaded farmlands and eaten up stems in farmlands, with the crops struggling for survival.
The problem, according to Mr Umar-Gojo-gojo, was common in areas like the Batarawa, Mani, Daura and Funtua axes.
He added that the worms often attacked newly planted crops like maize, guinea corn and millet.
The chairman advised that affected farmers should apply recommended insecticides to kill the worms to prevent them from spreading to other places.
“We have been getting complaints from some of our members that the worms are massively destroying crops.
“We visited places where such destruction is happening and really see how the worms.
He said the worms appeared due to rainfall ‘seizures’ in many places for over ten days in the state.
“We are hoping that with the first rainfall, they will disappear; we are hopeful of the rainfall any moment from now,” he said.
Mr Umar-Gojo-gojo called on the state government to assist farmers in controlling the worms and bail them out of recording pre-harvest losses.
“We are calling on the government to come to the aid of farmers with chemicals to control these worms.
“”The government can deploy the 722 extension workers to each ward in the state to ensure the elimination of such insects in their respective communities.
“At least, the government has given each extension worker a motorcycle and sprayer for use in his area where necessary.
“So, the government should also provide them with the chemicals to control the worms,” he advised.
He feared that the damage could affect productivity in crops such as maize, guinea corn and millet unless something urgent was done.
The chairman explained that such problems were reported in major farms located in areas that formed key producing centres for such crops.