Farmers stare at huge losses as armyworms destroy crops in Juja
Farmers from Murera Ward in Juja, Kiambu county, are staring at huge losses after their farms were invaded by calamitous armyworms.
For the last few weeks, the destructive insects have wiped out hundreds of acres of crops, leaving local farmers in distress.
After completely depleting green grass that livestock often feeds on, the pests are reported to have invaded farms where maize, beans, and kale among other crops are growing leaving a trail of destruction.
David Mwangi, a worried farmer, regretted that the pests have been sparing nothing from his farm.
He lamented that despite being optimistic about a bumper harvest following considerable rains that poured in the area, the attack on his crops could put the family at risk of hunger.
Worried that the hungry caterpillars could defoliate their entire fields of crops, the farmers who took issue with the government for taking too long to respond to their complaints, urged the relevant agencies to make prompt interventions to at least save a few crops and lessen the dangers of another impending drought.
“We have complained to various government agencies but as usual, the government has been sluggish in addressing the matter. Right now, the insects are widespread and only serious interventions will make a solution,” Mwangi said.
The distressed farmers, who spoke when the area MCA Moses Ngatha Wambiri started spraying their farms with pesticides, further decried that in some instances, the disastrous insects have been storming their houses giving them sleepless nights.
“Sometimes the pests are swarming to our houses, possibly looking for food. I have on many instances been forced to re-clean my house appliances which are often crowded by pests. We need a solution here,” Teresia Wanjiru, another farmer, said.
On his part, Wambiri urged the government to pull resources to help combat the looming calamity that is widespread.
He particularly urged the county and national governments to work together in availing chemicals to farmers to spray their crops and thereby avert further destruction of the farms.
Wambiri stated that areas which are under crop are bearing the brunt and locals could suffer from drought unless urgent interventions are made.
The MCA also warned locals against grazing their livestock along areas that have already been sprayed to avoid suffering more losses as a result of their animals consuming the poisonous chemicals.
“We have marked every sprayed location with red pieces of clothes as a sign of warning to livestock keepers who graze their animals along various green fields. Concerted efforts are required in this war if we are to combat these insects and possibly salvage what is remaining,” Wambiri stated.
