(ERGO) – Farmers in Jowhar and surrounding villages are using mosquito nets to stop plagues of insects from eating their cash crops.
Mohamed Ali, a farmer, told Radio Ergo they keep the plant seedlings covered by nets for about three weeks until they are strong enough to be replanted in the open fields.
“It is hard work but it is working as a solution to the infestation of insects,” he said.
Insects have been a problem in the area since last December and have destroyed large amounts of vegetables, particularly tomatoes, onions, lettuce, parsley, bell pepper and pumpkins.
Vegetable shortages, caused by insects and compounded by the drying up of the river, led to prices shooting up. Tomatoes went from Sh 50,000 to Sh 420,000 ($18) per 20 kgs.
Using the innovative technique of covering the plants with bed nets, more fresh produce has started to reach the markets and farmers hope the prices will stabilize soon.
“Since we started applying the new method, I am able to sell 280 kg of tomatoes every three days,” said Ali Noor Mohamed, a farmer in Timirre village, five km northeast of Jowhar. Ali sells his produce to women traders in Jowhar market, who transport the vegetables for sale in Mogadishu.
One mosquito net costs about Sh 150,000. Ali Noor says it is well worth it, as he has made a loss of around $1,300 in recent months due to the insects.
His sale of vegetables is vital for his family’s support and to pay the school fees of some of his eight children.
