Irrigation farmers in Luq district of Gedo region say their harvest is being spoiled by plagues of insects.
Farmers in villages of Hanoy, Maganey, Banmudul, Hero-kowad and Ararase near Luq are the most affected.
Mohamed Muhumad, a farmer in Hanoy, eight km from Luq, told Radio Ergo that local production had severely declined due to locusts, worms and maggots infesting their crops.
“We grow crops such as maize, onions, beans, sesame, lemons and other vegetables which we take to markets in Mogadishu, Baidoa, Beledhawo, Mandera, Garbaharrey and Hudur. The locally produced lemons are exported as far as United Arab Emirates, but we have not sent enough products to the markets this year due to little harvest,” said Mohamed.
Ali Hussein, a farmer in Maganey village, 11 km from Luq, said they had no means to protect their crops.
“We are nomadic people with little agricultural knowledge to control the invasive pests. For instance, 30 per cent of onions in my farm have been destroyed… And this is not specific to me. Other farmers are affected as well,” he said.
Abdullahi Sheikh Ali, a member of Luq farmers’ committee, said farmers in the area needed access to pesticides and skills trainings to improve their production.
