Maize disease breaks out in Nigeria, no reason for fear - Minister



ABUJA- AS the country grapples with the tomato disease called Tuta Absoluta, also known as ‘Tomato Ebola’, the Federal Government, yesterday, alerted the country over outbreak of maize disease called ‘Army Worm’.
This was revealed by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, during press briefing on steps taken by the government to harmonize issues on the controversial grazing reserve.
Ogbeh who expressed worry over the issue said the government was making concerted efforts to tackle the various outbreaks of diseases in the agricultural sector.
According to him, incidences of attack by army worm had been established in Edo and some South-West States. He however, said that the ministry is working closely with scientists at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to ensure quick containment of the disease.
The Minister said agricultural experts has been mobilised and were already combing the affected farms to contain the spread of the diseases. He said this would not stop the government from achieving food sufficiency and security, which was geared towards making the sector the nation’s economic mainstay.
Ogbeh assured that the army worm infestation on maize farms, recorded in the South Western states; including Edo and Kogi States is already declining.
Although, losses have been incurred in the affected states, the spread of the pest which was enhanced by favourable weather condition earlier in the year is self-limiting.
Our maize expert and a prominent scientist in Nigeria’s maize value chains - Dr. S. Ajala of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture - IITA, Ibadan, who has been working in the army worm control, has disclosed that although its infestation has not been recorded as attaining such a damaging level before now, the situation has also presented opportunities for a lasting control.
In the short term, the first option of using systemic and effective insecticides has been identified. On the long term solution however, the opportunity to screen and develop planting materials that are resistant to the infestation has been identified.
Going forward, the new and resistant genotypes of planting materials will be multiplied to counter the impact of the pest invasion.The spread is reducing now.
On the plans of the ministry to expand the frontiers of agriculture in the country to contribute up to 40 percent of the nation’s GDP, the minister stated that the resolve of government to stop the capital flight on milk importation that runs into several billions of dollar is not a mere political mantra, but a strong policy statement that must be backed by action.



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