adminPatrick Chitumba Midlands Bureau Chief
FARMERS in Gokwe are counting their losses as their cotton has been attacked by a mysterious pest that has seen the government sending a team of experts to try and contain it. An unconfirmed number of hectares have been destroyed by the insect which locals are calling “madzibaba” because of its white colour. The Chronicle visited Nembudziya in Gokwe North and Nemangwe area in Gokwe South where farmers were at a loss over the pest.
According to farmers in Nemangwe, under Chief Nemangwe, the disease was first detected in Nembudziya area.
They said the insects suck all the water from cotton plants.
“The insect we call madzibaba is causing havoc here. We are trying everything from mixing washing powder and other detergents in the hope of killing the insects,” said Chief Nemangwe.
“We don’t know what to do. We thought because of the coming of the rains, we were going to reap something but the insect has brought our dreams to an end.”
The Deputy Minister (crops and mechanisation), Davison Marapira, said the government had set up an emergency response team to investigate the threat and to find ways to stop its spread.
“We were not aware of the insect and we don’t know what it is. But I have tasked the Agriculture Research Services department director Dr Games Mguni to go with his team on the ground to investigate the insect and save the crop,” he said.
Deputy Minister Marapira said the government had committed millions of dollars in distributing free cotton inputs to farmers and was very concerned about the latest development.
In an effort to encourage farmers to grow the crop, the government last year unveiled a $25,8m support scheme for cotton farmers.
Online Reporter