Farmers in Kiambu County have been put on alert over possible pests attack on their plants in the wake of the current dry season.
Kikuyu Sub-County Crop Officer, George Ngigi on Wednesday said that pests such white flies, melon flies and cutworms could attack crops due to change of weather and season. The crops officer issued the alert while speaking in Kikuyu Township and urged the farmers to be alert on the pests.
“Most farmers in Kikuyu sub-county practice agribusiness, growing vegetables like Sukuma wiki, cabbages which are at risk of damage by these destructive pests, thus subjecting the farmers to massive losses,” she said.
Ngigi advised the farmers to ensure protective measures to control the pests were in place, especially applying pesticides at the right time whenever a sign of the pest attacks occurs.
He explained that White flies affect the leaves hence reducing the photosynthetic surface of the crops such as Sukuma wiki and spinach thus causing retarded growth hence reducing their yields.