AGRO-PARK SUCCESSFULLY COMBATED ARMY WORM
Maize (Zea mays), also known as corn is a cereal grain first domesticated by indigenous people in Southern Mexico about 10, 000 years ago. The leafy stalk of the plant produces separate pollen and ovuliferous inflorescences or ears which are fruits, yielding kernels or seeds.
Maize has become a staple food in many parts of the world, with total production surpassing that of wheat or rice. Maize is also grown for animal feed, corn ethanol, corn starch and corn syrup. The six (6) major types are: dent corn, flint corn, pod corn, pop corn, flour corn and sweetcorn.
Maize can be grown all year round in Nigeria provided there is good irrigation source during off season, good source of nutrients and sound pest management program. Over time however, many farmers in Nigeria have been able to find lasting solution to irrigation during dry season and using manure as a source of fertilizer to grow maize but the major challenge is control of pest infestation especially African armyworm infestations.
The African armyworm (Spodoptera exempta) or nutgrass armyworm is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The larvae often exhibit marching behavior when travelling to feeding sites leading to the common name “armyworm”. The larvae feed on all types of grasses, early stages of cereal crops (e.g corn, maize, wheat, millet, sorghum, sugarcane and occasionally coconut). Massive attack of these worms can devastate hectare of maize farm within 48 hours. However, controlling of this destructive pest with the use of synthetic chemicals is not cost friendly and the long time effects of chemicals on plant, soil and soil water is not healthy.
As part of our activities to promote organic farming in Nigeria and our contributions in finding an efficacious remedy for armyworm infestations naturally, this is healthier, safer and cheaper. Agro-Park has developed an organic solution from Azadiractha indica (Neem), Cymbopogon flexuosus (Lemon grass) and Capsicum annuum (Chili pepper). The solution has been tried and tested at Agro-Park farm estate, Abeokuta and her neighboring farms with effective results that favorably compete with chemicals. If you are interested in giving this product a try, visit our website on www.agropark.ng or contact +2348108843949
By Deji Afolami (Agro-Park Farm Supervisor).

great work