Outbreak of armyworm in maize crop

Farmers in Myagdi are in trouble after armyworms caused damage to maize crops. Maize production is expected to decline this year due to insects. 

According to the local agriculture branch, complaints are increasing about destruction of maize by armyworms while its still growing. Despite raising awareness about the outbreak of armyworms, the failure to control it in time has caused great damage to the maize crop, says local level agricultural technicians. Technician of the agriculture branch of Mangala village, Jagat Baniya informed that the outbreak of armyworms has spread widely.

According to him, the farmers were using pesticides but could not control them. According to the Agriculture Knowledge Center, armyworms  cause more damage when dry varieties of maize are dried. 

The Agriculture Knowledge Center also states that there is no alternative but to spray pesticides to control army insects. According to the Agriculture Knowledge Center, maize planted by farmers of Beni Municipality and Malika, Mangala, Raghuganga and Dhaulagiri villages of Myagdi has been severely damaged due to armyworms.