Donga-Mantung farmers lament strange caterpillars invasion

Farmers of Donga-Mantung Division of the Northwest Region are most frightened and worried with the recent attack on their crops by strange caterpillars, leaving fears of famine in the nearest future.

According to the Divisional Delegate of Agriculture and Rural Development, George Ncham, the caterpillar attack affected Ndu, Nkambe and Ako Subdivisions.

The Delegate told The Post that it was first announced by the villages of Mbarr, Njit, Fuh and Mbipgo in Ndu Subdivision and later extended to Ntundip, Njimnkang and Taku villages.

The caterpillars devoured the leaves of cola-nut trees, then crops like maize, beans, potatoes and even raffia palms leaving only stems. These caterpillars are said to have rendered some farms completely bare.

He explained that when they visited the site, they were completely troubled with the wanton crop destruction by these caterpillars and quickly effected a treatment that yielded no result; reason why a letter was immediately sent to the Regional Delegate giving a picture of the damage.

Delegate Ncham disclosed that it later on extended to the villages of Ntundip, Njimkang, Taku and Talla in Ndu Subdivision, but the case of Binka, Mbot and Ntembang in Nkambe Central Subdivision, was more serious that the pupils of Government Primary School Mulah had to abandon their classrooms for some days until the Regional Delegate of Agriculture and Rural Development sent them 100litres of Epevier, a chemical they used in spraying the caterpillars that immediately started giving way.

Assistance also came from the Ndu and Nkambe Councils.

Mr. George Ncham reported that the chemicals had been very effective and most farmers could heave sighs of relief. The main attention now is on Taku and Mbot where the caterpillars are still persistent.