In its resolve to fight the menace of quelae birds and other pests that are destroying farm products in Bauchi State, the Federal Government has begun aerial spray of pesticide in 17 local government areas of the state.
The exercise is being coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in conjunction with the state government and other agriculture agencies.
The exercise was officially launched by the Bauchi State governor, Mohammed Abubakar, who said farmers in the state have suffered a huge loss due to massive influx of the birds and other pests from the neighbouring States.
He said that over N6 billion worth of farm produce, equivalent to 50,600 metric tons of various crops representing 59 per cent crop, have been lost to quelea birds and other pests in farmlands in Bauchi State.
He lamented that, “In 2016 dry farming season, farmers in the state suffered monumental loss due to massive influx of birds which was believed to have migrated from other neighbouring states and 17 local government were affected in the state.”
The governor added that, “This development rendered many farmers handicapped, they were unable to farm in the just concluded rainy season cultivation. However, following the outbreak, the government provided pesticides and logistics to field workers for ground control in order to minimise the negative impact of the quelae birds on the farmlands.”
He, however, warned farmers within the affected areas to stay indoors during the period to avoid inhaling the poisonous insecticides, adding that the exercise was in line with the government’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda toward ensuring sustainable food security.
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