Farmers in Ziope in the Volta Region are counting their losses following an evasion of army worms in their farms.
The pests have eaten deep into the stalks and bitten into the leaves of the crops with the destruction widespread over several acres of farm lands.
Farmers who spoke to Cit News said the situation is becoming an annual occurrence, causing them to lose their investment.
Mr. Steven Agbeve, one of the farmers in the area, said most of his colleagues are gradually being kicked out of the farming business due to the annual invasion of the pest.
Residents of Ziope are predominantly vegetable farmers, and have featured as one of the leading producers of tomatoes and okro in the country.
Another problem facing farmers in this area is the unavailability of market, and storage facilities for their produce after harvest.
They are therefore calling on government to as a matter of urgency come to their aid by quelling the attacks from the pest, and consider the establishment of a processing factory and storage facilities for the vegetables.
Army worms have also invaded farm lands in the Nanumba North District of the Northern Region, destroying a number of farms in the process.
Some of the farmers told Citi News they could lose their farm produce and famine may occur in the area, if measures are not taken to address the problem.
This development follows a similar one that occurred in Dormaa Ahenkro in the Brong Ahafo Region, where three hundred and twenty- four (324) farmers in the area were affected, and a total of 522 hectors of farmlands were infested representing 31.70 per cent of destruction.
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(Via: CitiFM Online Ghana)
