The armyworm outbreak has been affecting farmers in the eastern regions lately. Likewise, the infestation has damaged over sixty acres of maize field in three chiwogs of Shumar Gewog in Pema Gatshel. The affected farmers of more than fifty households are worried about the yield this year.
“Initially, the maize saplings were growing properly. But the armyworm started attacking the maize plants. Now we don’t have a good yield to harvest. We are worried,” said Ugyen Zangmo, a farmer from Shumar Gewog.
“The armyworm first eats the tassel of the maize and then attacks the corn. We can’t even feed the leftovers to our cows. We have to segregate the worms from the maize, otherwise, our cows will get sick,” added Dechen Wangdi, another farmer.
“The maize plants took time to grow due to delayed rainfall. It had just begun growing well until the armyworms destroyed everything,” said Dechen Wangmo, another farmer.
With all the maize plants destroyed, farmers are now worried about the seed for the next season.
“Even now, the dzongkhag and gewog administrations have been supplying seeds. I am very hopeful they will get support for the seeds when they are in need. If we cannot provide them free of cost, we will manage to supply them on a cost-sharing basis,” said Sha Bdr Barakiti, the Agriculture Extension Officer of the gewog.
He added the agriculture extension office is finding alternatives to procure pesticides in advance to prevent the armyworm outbreak in the future.
“On this, I am discussing with the gewog and the dzongkhag administrations. Placing the order for pesticide in Thimphu when the farmers are already going through the infestation is not that effective. So, if things are already in place beforehand, we can provide them immediately. However, I am thinking it won’t be the problem next year,” he further added.
Shumar Gewog is not alone, almost all the 11 gewogs in the district have been affected by the outbreak. And the outbreak is only getting worse each year.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
