Farmers in Jigawa commends Govt over early intervention

Farmers in Jigawa state has commended the state government over the early intervention by providing necessary pesticides on account of army worm invasion (Spodoptera exempta) which was noticed in the state last week.

The State Deputy Governor Bar. Ibrahim Hassan who embarked on an assessment tour of farmland affected by these foreign pests Tuesday (yesterday) said the invasion of army worm is threatening to wipe out early planted rice, sorghum, guinea corn and maize across the state.

Earlier in the week, the deputy governor ordered the mobilization and deployment of about 630 youths trained as pest control agents under the value chain program to spray the affected areas and create buffer zones to check further infestation.

JASCO the pest control company was also asked to release about 1, 000 crates of contact pesticides at no cost to farmers for use by the pest control team.

Speaking to the affected farmers in Dutse, Jigawa State yesterday, the pest controller Mallam Isah Shehu assured the farmers that partially affected crops will recover and thrive after the first and second rain.

Affected farmers through their spokesman Maigona Saidu expressed gratitude to the state government for the swift response of government saying, “A major catastrophe had been averted by the timely intervention”.