Afram Plains South MP expresses worry over worms

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Afram Plains South, Mr Eric Osei-Owusu, has expressed worry at the increased destruction of crops by army worms in the Afram Plains.

He told the Daily Graphic that about 20 farms he visited in the area last week had most of their crops destroyed by army worms.

Mr Osei-Owusu, therefore, appealed to the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) to step in by spraying the farms to kill the army worms.

That, he said, was crucial to prevent the onward destruction of the crops which would cause huge financial losses to the farmers.

Mr Osei-Owusu, who is a member of the Agriculture Committee of Parliament, said cereal crops such as maize were the most affected and indicated that the situation could affect yields.

He asked MOFA to be proactive in dealing with the situation, especially, when the government had just launched the Plant for Food and Jobs programme.

“Government should make a move to save the situation of the invasion of army worms,” he said.

Food security

Mr Osei-Owusu said the destruction of the farms could affect the food security of the country.

“The army worms are prevalent in the Afram Plains. They pose a serious threat to food security,” he said.