• Farmers attributed the spread of the pest again this year to the sub standard hybrid seed maize imported from other countries

By Saman K.Gamage and Kanchana Kumara 

The Fall Army Worm (Sena Delambuwa) pest  has caused extensive damage to the maize cultivation in several areas much to the anxiety of the farmers.  

Farmers in Palugaswewa area in the Anuradhapura District said more than 1500 acres of maize cultivation had been destroyed. They pointed out that the pest had caused similar havoc destroying maize cultivation in Thirappane and Horiwila areas as well. Meanwhile the farmers attributed the spread of the pest again this year to the sub standard hybrid seed maize imported from other countries.

A Chena cultivator in Kanumullegama in Thirappane S.M.K.Bandara  who had cultivated imported seeds in one Chena and the local seeds in another said the entirety of maize cultivation of imported seed had been destroyed while the other was immune to the pest. Farmers said they used chemicals recommended by the Agricultural Officers but to no avail. They accused the officers of ignoring the crop devastation despite the Minister of Agriculture’s recent statement to the media that steps had been taken to control it. They requested the relevant authorities to work out an effective mechanism to prevent the recurrence of the pest every year and to pay compensation for crop devastation.