New Maize disease breaks out in Nigeria — FG

As Nigeria grapples with the tomato disease called Tuta Absoluta, also known as ‘Tomato Ebola,’ the Federal Government, yesterday, alerted the country over out-break of maize disease called ‘Army Worm.’

This was revealed by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, during a press briefing on steps taken by the government to harmonize issues on the controversial grazing reserve. He also described food eaten by most Nigerians as poison, disclosing that over boiling of cow meat by Nigerians was saving them from being infected by tuberculosis from consumption of beef. Ogbeh, who expressed worry over the issue, said the government was making concerted efforts to tackle the various out-breaks of diseases in the agricultural sector.

According to him, incidents of attack by army worm has been established in Edo and some South-West states. He, however, said the ministry was working closely with scientists at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA, to ensure quick containment of the disease. The Minister said agricultural experts had been mobilised and were already combing the affected farms to contain the spread of the diseases.