One of the major flagship policies of the recent government is “Planting for Food and Jobs”, a policy that is aimed at boosting the Agricultural sector but the recent presence of the Fall Army Worm on Maize farms has become a canker affecting this policy. With its prevalence, several research has been done to find an antidote to this infection and one is the current antidote had by the B. Kaakyire Agrochemical firm, a private firm. In this vain, the Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon Elizabeth Agyeman together with the Regional Director of Agric, Rev. John Manu and other officials, on Tuesday, the 10th of April, 2018 visited a Fall Army Worm infected maize farm at Mfensi-Akwaboah in the Atwima Nwabiagya District, Ashanti Region.
Addressing farmers on their farmlands, Hon. Elizabeth Agyeman urged farmers to take effective measures in improving their yields, such as regular pruning, weeding and insecticide check. Farmers should try to make their produce quality and good enough for consumption which will aid them gain enough income to cater for their families rather than wait on the government to come to their aid.
Hon DRM Elizabeth Agyemang addressing the farmers on the pandemic
Hon. Agyeman commended Kaakyire Agrochemical for this effective insecticide which could be a solution against the Fall Army Worm infestation on maize farms. She added that the government and the Ministry of Agriculture in a collaborative effort with Kaakyire Agrochemicals will ensure that this insecticide, thus, Saviour E.L and Strike SC are incorporated in the list of drugs for the sector.
Also, Dr. Kofi Boah, a farmer and the researcher behind Kaakyire Agrochemicals’ said there have been other drugs manufactured and tested in relation to the army worm infestation but the Saviour E.L and Strike SC from Kaakyire Agrochemical are more effective in fighting the infection as compared to others. He therefore recommended the drugs to maize farmers of Mfensi-Akwaboah and all farmers at large in the fight against the Fall Army Worm infestation.
The Board Chairman of the B.Kaakyire Agrochemical Group, Mr.Fred Darko gave a brief finding on the drugs, their effectiveness and how they can be used.
A Fall Army Worm on a maize plant at Mfensi-Akwaboah
ARCC-PR OFFICE