Amidst the caterpillars’ infestation in rural Liberia, the Ministry of Agriculture says its technicians started spraying affected communities in Bong County, simultaneously in Salala and Zota districts on Sunday to curb the spread.
Last week, the Ministry of Agriculture announced the discovery of an army of caterpillars, known as Archaea—different from Fall Army Worms—in several towns in Bong, Gbarpolu and Nimba County, and disclosed a resource mobilization plan to contain the spread.
According to a release issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, the caterpillars are moving into farms, damaging bananas, cocoa and other food crops, contaminating waterways and crawling into homes.
Since Friday, the caterpillars have continued their infestations in towns in Bomi, Lofa and Margibi counties, thus making it six of Liberia’s 15 counties now affected by the infestation.
“The MOA’s team started spraying Sahankpalla Town in Zota District and Yanquelleh Town in Salala District, and will continue in other counties, while the Central Agriculture Research Institute (CARI) continues in the Suakoko area.
“We have a response plan and we are working with our development partners and governmental institutions like the National Public Health Institute and the Ministry of Health under the One Health Platform to contain the caterpillars. We are working to have other ministries on board to effectively coordinate our response,” the release quoted Minister Jeanine Cooper as saying.
Already, the release added, development partners and governmental agencies have expressed their willingness to join the MOA in containing the caterpillars.