Farmers in Iganga District are counting losses following the invasion of destructive species of variegated grasshoppers in Namungalwe Sub County.
The farmers say the destructive nature of the pests is likely to result in a decline in crop yield this season and make them food insecure.
The grasshoppers have destroyed cassava, beans, maize, groundnuts, potatoes, coffee, and fruit tree gardens, in a period of three weeks.
Mirabu Babirye, a farmer in the area says that she had planted a one-acre maize garden and her crops had sprouted out well, due to consistent water irrigation, however, the grasshoppers have destroyed the entire garden.
Thomas Gulele, another farmer says that he has lost all his season’s two-acre food crops comprising of cassava, beans, and millet in a period of three weeks. Gulele adds that such losses are a big setback to him. He says that he will have to rely on distant relatives and well-wishers for their daily food and general well-being.
Ronald Bagema, the village vice chairperson says that the grasshoppers reproduce at a very high rate and so far 80 farmers have registered losses following attacks on their crops.
Bagema stresses that a crisis meeting was held at their village level, where residents resolved to notify responsible authorities within Iganga district’s agriculture department, about the grasshopper attacks and the losses incurred by individual farmers.
Bagema adds that officials from the agriculture department have promised to guide farmers on how best, they can safeguard their gardens from grasshopper attacks.
Sulah Bazalaki, the Iganga District Agriculture Officer, says that their team has been dispatched to inspect the affected farms and take samples of the grasshoppers for further examination.
Bazalaki adds that a team of experts has embarked on efforts to draft a conclusive report, detailing the recommendable pesticides, suitable for spraying such grasshoppers.
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