Worms destroy hundreds of farmlands in Katsina

Crop-eating worms have invaded and destroyed hundreds of farmlands in Katsina State, with some farmers estimating their loss in hundreds of millions of naira.

The green and slimy-looking worms, which look like caterpillars, eat both leaves and roots of mostly millet, guinea-corn and maize crops, with several farms in all the three senatorial zones of the state adversely affected.

Speaking on the issue yesterday, state chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Yau Gwajo-gwajo, lamented that Katsina had experienced similar invasion in the past, but described this year’s as unprecedented.

His words: “This year’s destruction is the most severe. The worms destroy millet, guinea-corn and maize crops, eating both the leaves and roots of the plants.

“The worms we used to know eat only the leaves of the crops, but these ones are different, as they don’t leave anything when they are done with young plants.

“The situation is a sad one, and the reason for such invasion may not be unconnected with the lack of rainfall for some days in some parts of the state.”

“Areas mostly affected are Batagarawa and Katsina council areas, including several council areas in Daura and Funtua senatorial zones.

“Some farmers have lamented that their farmlands had been adversely affected, while others have said the destruction on their farmlands were minimal.”

Gwajo-gwajo lamented that the destruction already recoded might be more in scale should there be no rainfall within the next few days in the affected areas.

“If we don’t get rainfall in the next few days, the destruction by these worms may be much more.

“The worms are susceptible to chemical sprays, but some chemical sprays work more effectively on young crops when there is rainfall.

“But we are liaising with our members on how to effectively tackle the situation, and not wait on government alone for help,” he added.