Farmers in Birniwa Local Government Area of Jigawa State have raised the alarm over a serious infestation of hairy armyworms that has invaded farmlands and destroyed several crops.
The infestation has reportedly affected a large number of farming communities, leaving farmers worried about possible losses and the impact on their livelihoods if urgent measures are not taken to contain the pest.
A resident of Birniwa said the situation had caused significant damage to farmlands, warning that continued destruction of crops could worsen the financial difficulties faced by farming households and increase the risk of food shortages.
The affected crops include sorghum, millet, groundnuts, hibiscus and beans, which are among the major food and cash crops cultivated by farmers in the affected communities.
The Managing Director of the Jigawa Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (JARDA), Wasulu Muhammad, confirmed the extent of the infestation, saying more than 790 hectares of farmland had been affected.
According to him, about 520 farmers have so far been affected by the armyworm invasion, while JARDA has deployed a technical team to assess the damage and monitor the situation.
Muhammad said the technical team was also providing farmers with extension advice on pest control, adding that the state government had begun measures aimed at preventing the infestation from escalating and spreading to other communities.
He identified Gajarma, Dalari, Bursili, Kulawa, Kupsa, Kirya and Korewa as some of the areas recording significant damage.
He called for urgent intervention through the provision of agrochemicals and spraying equipment to protect farms that have not yet been affected.
The JARDA boss also said the state government was committed to supporting affected farmers with seeds and other agricultural inputs to enable them to recover and re-cultivate their farms.
He urged farmers to maintain regular surveillance and make use of extension services to detect and control the pest early before it causes further damage.
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