Ehsanullah, an experienced gardener in Farah, has been battling tent moths for over eight years. With two fig gardens under his care, he laments the annual invasion of these pests as the weather warms up.
Kabul24: Despite his efforts, Ehsanullah reveals that no institution has provided professional training to gardeners on how to effectively combat this pest
Ineffective Measures and Fruit Destruction
Ehsanullah shares his frustration with the lack of success in controlling tent moths. Despite purchasing poison from the market multiple times a year and using water, the results have been disappointing. The moths continue to damage the fruit, posing a threat to his livelihood
Concerns for the Future
Gardeners in Farah express their concerns about the lack of means to control and combat tent moths. Without cooperation from the government and relevant institutions, they fear that their trees and garden produce will be destroyed in the coming years.
Expert Advice on Prevention
Mansoor Manoor, an agriculture expert in Farah, explains that tent moths primarily target fruit trees, especially figs, damaging leaves, stems, and trunks. He suggests that gardeners can preventSmuggling of 72 kg of precious stones to Pakistan was prevented the invasion of these moths through a combination of local and chemical methods, including spraying with the pesticide “Dichloris”
Conflicting Statements from Officials
Mohammad Ismail Navaei, the director of plant protection in the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock of Farah, contradicts the claims made by gardeners.
He states that tent moths have not attacked fig gardens in the province thus far, and the department is prepared in case of an infestation
Other Affected Trees
While officials deny the invasion of tent moths in Farah’s gardens, other gardeners in the area report damage to various trees, including pomegranate trees. This suggests that the tent moth infestation may extend beyond fig gardens
In conclusion, the invasion of tent moths poses a significant threat to the gardens and livelihoods of gardeners in Farah.
Despite the lack of professional training and effective control measures, experts suggest methods to prevent the invasion.
The conflicting statements from officials raise questions about the extent of the infestation and the need for coordinated efforts to address this pest.