Worried about the damaging effects of the yam beetle which destroys the crops on the farm, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development organised a workshop for management of beetle infestation on yam for farmers in Edo State. “There has been a steady growth in yam production since 1997, with an average annual growth rate of 4.6per cent per year. Hajiya Babangida said in spite of this position and growth in yam production, infestation by yam tuber beetles (Heterolygus meles) has posed a major constraint to increased yam output. She said the yam tuber beetle is a very serious insect pest of yam river-rine areas, particularly in the forest agro-ecological zones like Edo State. FG trains Edo farmers on management of yam insect pest

Source: Nigerian Tribune July 13, 2021 11:26 UTC