Crops destroyed, goats killed as African Armyworm invades Hoima and Kikuube

HOIMA – Farmers in different sub-counties in Kikuube and Hoima districts are calling for help following an invasion of the African Armyworms that have destroyed gardens and grazing farmlands and killed over 100 goats.

The invasion of the caterpillars was first reported in the Bunyoro region in the Kiryandongo district and now it has spread to more than four districts.

The African armyworms are caterpillars that march across the landscape in large groups feasting on young plants leaving huge devastation.

The affected sub-counties are Bugambe, Kyangwali, Kabwooya, Buhimba, Kiziranfumbi, and Kikuube town council in Kikuube district, Buseruka, Kigorobya and Kabaale in Hoima district among others.

Nicholas Elibankya a farmer in Kyakabaale village in Bugambe Sub-county says that the African Armyworms destroyed his 10-acre of maize in less than three days after he detected them.

He noted that he lost over sh10 million which he incurred in buying 100 acres of maize seeds, planting, and ploughing the farm.

Rashid Byabajungu, another farmer says the caterpillars which are almost 6 centimeters have ravaged his 15 acres of maize in less than three days.

He noted that his garden had reached a stage of weeding but the destruction will require him to plough and plant again and he has no money for labor and buying seeds.

He noted he had already invested over sh15 million in the destroyed gardens and called on the government to intervene and provide them with seeds and financial support to replant.

Byabajungu adds that he has tried using a super rocket to spray the armyworm in vain. He fears that with the invasion of armyworm the district is going to face food insecurity because of the heavy crop destruction.

Godfrey Komakech the Hoima district council for Buseruka sub-county said the invasion by the insets in the area was reported last week. He said the magnitude of the destruction is massive.

He noted farmers in the area had lost hundreds of acres of maize, beans, sweet potato, and cassava plantation since the insects eat anything green.

He added that caterpillars have also invaded glazing farmland leaving livestock farmers stranded.

The Chairman LC2 for Tonya parish in Kabaale sub-county along the shores of Lake Albert, a glazing area said that several farmers had lost goats after eating feeding on grass that has hosted the caterpillars.

Sam Isingoma noted that the caterpillars invaded the area last week adding that so far 100 goats died and others were having deteriorating health conditions.

He noted that the affected goats get serious diarrhea before they die adding that the affected villages are Tonya B, A and Kijjangi among others. He noted that no cow had been reported dead but several cows were also having serious illnesses.

Vicente Barongo the Agricultural officer in Charge of Buseruka and Kabaale sub-county confirmed that Goats had been reported dead but he could not tell the exact cause of death since no examination had been conducted.

However, he noted that caterpillars may cause the death of the goats and cows if they eat them in large amounts since the caterpillars contain animal proteins.

“Goats and cows do not eat meat, so when they feed on these caterpillars, they get complications because it is the same as eating meat, grasshopper or white ants,” he said, adding that the sub-county authorities are in touch with the district production office and they have started to investigate the cause of death of the animals.

Samuel Kusiima, the Principal Agricultural officer Kikuube said that they have compiled a report and submitted it to the Ministry of Agriculture but also to present the matter to the National Emergency Coordination and Operations Centre.

Peter Kugonza

https://thecooperator.news/lira-farmers-urged-to-fight-african-armyworm/

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Peter Kugonza

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