Source: Volkswagen
Original title: Autumn armyworm insect pest swept through many Asian countries British media: 3 days can eat 1 hectare of corn field
Many Asian countries are suffering from autumn armyworm infestations, and they are likely to be more affected than large-scale growers due to the reluctance of smallholder producers to adopt new technologies.
Autumn armyworms spread rapidly in many Asian countries
According to Reuters on June 20, 42-year-old Thai farmer Bondidun's farm is located in Ba Chong County, 180 kilometers northeast of the capital Bangkok, and his two-week corn has not been eaten by autumn armyworms, also known as the grass moth.
"All 8 rais (1.28 hectares) of maize I planted were severely infested." Bondidon said the pest ate the entire cornfield in three days.
Autumn armyworm is a caterpillar named after the fact that it invades grain fields in droves like an army. Since their discovery in southern India late last year, they have spread rapidly throughout Asia. Bangladesh, Myanmar, Vietnam, Indonesia and others have all fallen victims. In Asia, corn is mostly used to raise animals.
The pest has been found in 18 of China's 33 provinces and regions in recent months, and now it could spread to important corn-growing areas in the northeast.
Mario Fredericks, an official at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, said some countries had reported losses of 1.2 to about 10 per cent of food crops caused by the pest, while others had reported 20 to 40 per cent.
Smallholder incomes are expected to decline
Fredericks said: "Once the autumn armyworm arrives, it will not be possible to eradicate it, and farmers will have to find ways to control it." ”
Falling maize production could force pig, poultry and cattle farmers to rely on expensive imports, leading to lower incomes for millions of smallholder producers. Given the reluctance of smallholder producers to adopt new technologies to combat production threats, millions of smallholder producers in Asia are likely to be more affected by pests than large-scale growers.
Paul Wujie, head of Asia Growth in Singapore, said: "When it comes to new technologies, people are inert. The organization is funded by the World Bank to work with smallholder producers and other stakeholders to increase productivity.
He said: "The prevention and control of autumn armyworms is both costly and difficult. He notes that the pest tends to nibble on the stems of crops from low places, making it difficult for traditional insecticidal sprays to work.
Pest control requires specialized technology
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, this pest has been known for nearly 200 years in the Americas. The worm can fly up to 100 kilometers a night. It was first discovered in Africa in 2016 and has since spread across the continent.
In July 2018, autumn armyworms were found in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. By February 2019, the pest had been found in all 29 Indian states.
Autumn armyworms have been found in more than 50 of Thailand's 76 provinces, and they are concentrated in the western provinces with large cornfields. It prefers corn, but can harm 80 crops, including rice and sugar cane.
The pest thrives in tropical and subtropical climates. Its life cycle is as long as 24 to 40 days, so during the planting season, two or three generations of autumn armyworms can eat the entire cornfield and fly away.
Prasanta Patra, head of the maize and medium-tillage crop market in Asia at Codiva, a global agrochemical company, said: "At all stages, autumn armyworms attack maize crops, from seed germination to early crop growth until the harvest stage. The early stages of crop growth are the most vulnerable stages. ”
"Because the autumn armyworm larvae prefer to stay in the middle of the corn seedlings, specialized techniques must be applied to ensure that the insects are exposed to pesticides."