BUREWALA:Farmers expressed concern over the attack of fall armyworms on maize crops and demanded the government to take immediate steps for saving the crop.
Maize crops have been cultivated thousands of acres in district Vehari as it is considered as highly profitable from farmer’s prosperity for the last few years.
The crop underwent attack by worms which affected leaves, resulting in low production.
Farmers Nadeem Anjum Sindhu resident of 313/EB, and Lala Ghulam Murtaza resident of 251/EB talking to reporter expressed concern and stated that they had spent a huge amount on inputs. However, the recent attack of the worms caused immense panic as it would lead to low production, they feared.
They stated that pesticides were not eliminating the worms.
When contacted agriculture department, Plant Protection Officer Naveed stated that spray could not be done on the crop that had become mature. However, he suggested farmers spray of “amamactin, cypermethrin, tephlobenze” to minimize the attack of the worms.
He also proposed farmers to contact agriculture department experts in their locality for further consultation.