Mills assures farmers affected by armyworm invasion

Bawku (Upper East) 12 July '99

Vice President John Atta Mills on Sunday assured farmers in the Upper East region, especially those whose farms were invaded by army worms, that government will assist them to re-crop their fields.

He said seeds and other needed inputs will be made available to them through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture MOFA and the district assemblies for replanting to enable them to recoup losses incurred.

Professor Mills gave the assurance when he toured farms at Zebilla, Magonori Bawku and Zawse to assess the extent of damage caused by the army worm invasion.

About 277,000 hectares of cereals, comprising early millet or nara, maize, rice, and sorghum, have been affected by the invasion, which was first detected three weeks ago. Out of the number, 8,300 hectares have so far been brought under control through spraying by agricultural extension workers.

Professor Mills told the people at Zebilla that catastrophes, such as the army worm invasion, were a direct consequence of environmental degradation and called on them to adopt good farming practices to prevent similar occurrences in future.

He commended the staff of MOFA for responding promptly to the situation and urged them to educate farmers constantly on the causes of army worm invasion.

Professor Mills also urged the people to plant trees which could serve as windbreaks to protect their houses from rainstorms.

He reiterated government's commitment to the people's welfare in times of need. "We will never abandon you. We cannot call ourselves leaders unless we have people to lead," he said.

The chief of Zebilla, Naba Aboya Ndago, said he and his people will always be grateful to the government for its "concern and prompt response" to their plight.