The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), through the Department of Crop Protection, has Swang into action by sending a team of Inspectors (Kenneth Gidudu, Dickens Murungi, and Douglas Ntwatwa ) to Demonstrate to farmers the control of the Apple Tree Moth in Manafwa District.
On the ground, the team observed the pest to be feeding on coffee, mangoes, avocado, jackfruit and other coffee shade trees like Albizia and ‘Musambya’; causing total defoliation of the affected plants.
The Ministry also issued 100 litres of Profenofos 40%+ Cyperthrin 4%EC to help the district in field demonstrations. The pest was still localized in the Wesswa sub-county.
Farmers appreciated the Ministry for the swift action and the rich knowledge provided. A total of 40 farmers were demonstrated to by the MAAIF team.
While demonstrating, Dickens Murungi, the Senior Agricultural Inspector at MAAIF explained the need for farmers to actively participate in the control of the pest to avoid further spread.
He also stressed the importance of safe use of pesticides in controlling crop pests, saying, “The pest is easy to control, if you put in much time and attention to what we are teaching you. Government is always there to help you and ensure that all our crops disease free.”
Manafa District Agriculture Officer, Patrick Natanga appreciated the timely response by the Ministry and called upon farmers to take the message from the demonstrations seriously, and also pass it on to other fellow farmers.
He requested the Ministry to provide the district with more support of Personal Protective Gear to help farmers adhere to the safe use and handling of pesticides while controlling pests. He, however, expressed his concern about the Banana Rust Thrips Incursion into the District, which is now causing damage to people’s gardens.
Apple Tree Moth also known as the Codling Moth, is a significant agricultural pest that primarily affects apple and pear trees.
The larvae of this moth, often called “apple worms,” burrow into the fruit, causing damage and often making the apples wormy.
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