By Hou Akot Hou
Farmers in Twic County in Warrap State are grappling with significant losses following a destructive invasion of grasshoppers that has laid waste to vast swathes of crops. The affected areas include Apurun, Rieu, Makol, and Kuec, all located within Turalei Payam.
With their farms extensively damaged, farmers are now appealing for urgent support. Many lack the essential skills and knowledge in pest and disease control, leaving them vulnerable to the on-going threat posed by these pests and other crop-destroying diseases.
Simon Bak Bol, the Boma Administrator of Apurin Boma in Turalei Payam, confirmed the widespread destruction after conducting an assessment. “I assessed three areas close to my Boma — Rieu, Makol, and Kuec, all in Apurin — and the damages are huge. We need insecticides,” Bol stated.
According to Bol, this marks the second grasshopper invasion since the first documented outbreak in 1990. The traditional leader is urging Warrap State agricultural officials to provide immediate assistance to the affected farmers in the form of pesticides and insecticides to mitigate further destruction.
Meanwhile, Jackson Yaac Ayeul, the Director of Agriculture in Twic County, acknowledged the severity of the outbreak. He assured that authorities in Warrap State are already developing strategies to combat the infestations. “We are aware of the damage caused by the grasshoppers, and soon they will be wiped out,” Ayeul affirmed.