Pests hit thousands of cashew trees in Bình Phước

Mosquito bugs damaged thousands of hectares of cashew in Bình Phước province. – Photo danviet

BÌNH PHƯỚC — Thousands of hectares of cashew in the southern province of Bình Phước have been hit by pests, causing local farmers to worry about crop failure in next year’s harvest.

According to the locals, the genus Helopeltis, also known as mosquito bugs, have caused serious damage to the cashew plantations since the beginning of the year, drying out nad damaging the trees.

Hoàng Văn Đức, a cashew farmer in Đồng Phú District, said the epidemic has been widespread for months due to unfavourable weather.

In order to prevent the disease spreading, he sprayed chemicals and added more fertilizer for trees, but he could not be sure that they will recover by next season, Đức said.

Many households are desperate and have not taken any measures to prevent the disease.

Đồng Xoài Township, Phú Riềng, Đồng Phú and Bù Gia Mập districts are the most severely affected, local farmers said.

In Phú Riềng alone, the insects have damaged over 10,000ha of trees, according to local reports.  

The provincial People’s Committee has directed local authorities to mobilise farmers to implement preventive measures. The province is reviewing the area of damage to support affected households, especially with ethnic minority households.