By KELLY SINYANGWE
ABOUT 1661 farmers in Lunga District, Luapula Province have been affected through the loss of their maize, rice and cassava crops which are being attacked by rodents locally called Amaseshi by the locals in the area.
These rodents are quite big with darkish skin hair on their bodies and are being described as those that thrive in dambos and slightly water longing conditions. Their species can multiply fast as each female is able to produce not less than eight 8 young ones in a single pregnancy.
Lunga District Agriculture Coordinator Ignitions Lusambo revealed that during his monitoring backstopping he discovered that a total of 1,050 households have been affected with the infestation of these rodents which are attacking maize.
“The Rodents are heavily attacking during the night especially if its dry and they are really causing extensive damage to the crop by stripping it off and clearing all grains on every cob in the field,” Mr. Lusambo said.
Not only are the Amaseshi attacking the maize grain but they have also invaded rice and cassava fields, the rodents are attacking cassava by digging and eating the tubers from the ground and only living the crop with a stem leading to all leaves on the stem to dry off and wither.
Senior Agriculture Officer Isaac Sikanyika has also expressed apprehension on how fast and devastative these rodents are impacting on the crops narrating the fact that they cannot easily be eliminated due to their ingenious behavior.
“The situation is quite rampart about 118.325 hectares of the Maize, rice and Cassava Fields have been attacked and destroyed in the following areas; Kasoma Lunga, Mweshi, Kalima Nkonde, Chibulu, Matongo, Bwalya Mponda, Mutumina and Nsamba areas,”Mr. Sikanyika said.
However, the Ministry of Agriculture though the District Agricultures Coordinators office are working hand in hand with the affected farmers to find an amicable way of eliminating these wild creatures which may cause hunger in the district since there are no chemicals that can be used to kill these rodents and other pests at the moment.
“I have tasked agriculture extension officers in all the affected areas to keep engaging with the affected farmers by encouraging them to frequently scout the fields with dogs and traditional traps so that we curb these animals from scavenging the crops,” Mr. Sikanyika revealed.
Nonetheless, the farmer engagement has not been extensive because most fields in Lunga are further apart and covering a huge distance in the district is a challenge due to the geographical makeup of the district.
This is not the first time these animals have attacked fields in the district but this year the attacks have been very devastating and most of the fields have been affected.
The District agriculture coordinator has urged all vigilant farmers in Lunga district to remain positive and keep fighting these wild animals.-NAIS
