Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CONAKRY103
2009-02-13 10:27:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Conakry
Cable title:
CATERPILLAR INFESTATION HIGHLIGHTS WEAK AGRICULTURAL
how-toR 131027Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY CONAKRY TO SECSTATE WASHDC 3443 INFO ECOWAS COLLECTIVE CIA WASHDC DIA WASHINGTON DC HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHDC DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS CONAKRY 000103
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR EAID ECON KSCA GV
SUBJECT: CATERPILLAR INFESTATION HIGHLIGHTS WEAK AGRICULTURAL
SECTOR
UNCLAS CONAKRY 000103
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR EAID ECON KSCA GV
SUBJECT: CATERPILLAR INFESTATION HIGHLIGHTS WEAK AGRICULTURAL
SECTOR
1. This is an action request. Please see paragraph 10.
2. SUMMARY. The rare plague of caterpillars that devastated farm
land in north and central Liberia has spread into the southern
Forest Region of Guinea destroying crops, polluting water sources,
and forcing farmers and families to remain in their villages and
away from their fields. However, the infestation is unlikely to
cause a widespread food emergency in Guinea. Pest control measures,
including insecticide applications, have been initiated in Guinea,
but no specific information on the efficacy of the spraying has been
reported so far. Continued monitoring is critical both to ensure
access to clean water supplies and that the infestation does not
continue into the rainy season endangering vulnerable new crops.
The infestation highlights the weakness of the agricultural sector
in Guinea and the vulnerability of subsistence farmers. The GoG
likely lacks the resources to respond adequately to meet the
immediate needs of the affected population. END SUMMARY.
--------------
ECOLOGY AND CONTROL
--------------
3. Originally thought to be highly destructive army worms, the
insects have now been positively identified as the caterpillars of
the moth Achaea catocaloides. Relatively little is known about their
ecology, life-cycle, or food sources in tropical ecosystems,
although they are familiar to farmers and are one of the most common
moths in the region. Endemic to West Africa and occurring through
Uganda to East Africa, A. catocaloides rarely appear in such
devastating numbers. The last infestation of such magnitude occurred
30 years ago in Liberia.
In high densities, the insects are defoliators and can strip vast
swaths as they reproduce and devour food sources. A.catocaloides
spin their cocoons on the ground making them susceptible to
eradication through ground spraying and fires. In the current rare
infestation, tens of millions have been reported on the ground in
Guinea, dropping from trees, and falling into streams and rivers.
Villagers use smokey fires to keep the insects away from their homes
at night.
--------------
GUINEA INFILTRATION
--------------
4. The caterpillars have spread 25 kilometers into the lower Forest
Region of Guinea. The Minister of Agriculture, Abdourahmane Sano,
accompanied by a team of plant protection experts travelled to the
Forest Region on January 31 to February 4 and met with villagers in
Yowa, Yowi, Bafala, Gangamou, Tonote and Benie in Yomou Prefecture,
located along the Liberian border. At this time, approximately 500
hectacres with coffee, cacao and bananas plantations and 4500
forested hectares are infested. The Ministry of Agriculture
estimates that between 3,000 and 5,000 individuals are currently
affected.
5. Describing the situation, the mayor of Yomou, Mr. Bfamon
Doualamou, said: "There is general panic in the area. Farmers are
helpless and in serious need of drinkable water and assistance."
When asked what effect the spraying had, he said that there is not
enough manpower, insecticide or equipment to deal with the invasion.
The local Director of Agriculture stated that most villagers were
subsisting for now on cassava, a crop that is stored in the ground.
When asked about the scope of the infestation, he said there were
"billions" of caterpillars.
--------------
CONTAMINATED WATER SOURCES
--------------
6. The caterpillars have severely polluted water sources with their
excrement. Mr Doualamou described the extent of the contamination,
saying: "Rivers in the area are affected to the point that fish are
dying in large numbers." Only one of the affected villages, Yowa,
has a protected well. When asked how the other villages were coping
with no water, he said, "as best they can." A USAID fact finding
trip to Yomou on February 2 revealed that some villages have lacked
water for 2-3 months depending on the level of infestation, and that
some villagers are now suffering from diarrhea and respiratory
conditions. It is possible that the rainy season will flush and
renew water sources, but in the meantime, the population remains at
risk for water-borne diseases. Until the dry season ends in May,
water quality will continue to be a major concern and should be
monitored, although the Guinean Government likely lacks the capacity
to do so.
--------------
REGIONAL FOOD EMERGENCY UNLIKELY
--------------
7. While the caterpillars have destroyed some crops, forests, and
surrounding vegetation, a widespread food emergency seems unlikely.
The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that most
of the essential food crops (manioc/cassava, rice, maize and millet)
are not yet in the ground as it is the dry season. However, farmers
may be late in ground preparation and other pest control activities
may delay planting in time for the wet season. Continued monitoring
of the situation is essential to reduce the risk of food insecurity,
especially because experts warn of a potential continued infestation
as the caterpillars reproduce into the rainy season and the
possibility that farmers may consume next year's seed stock.
--------------
CONTROL EFFORTS UNDERWAY
--------------
8. In Guinea, a pest control team recently began spraying in
affected areas in the Forest Region. The GoG supplied an inadequate
quantity of pesticide (600 liters) to Yomou Prefecture. Poorly
controlled insecticide application is another area of concern as
health and safety standards and guidelines may be compromised. USAID
LES noted the absence of aid organizations in the area and that the
FAO had no visible field interventions underway. A meeting in
Monrovia between Guinean and Liberian officials is planned this
month to discuss the situation and harmonize control methods.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
9. The current A. catocaloides infestation appears to be a rare
occurrence which has heightened the vulnerability of thousands of
subsistence farmers and villagers, and highlighted the weakness of
the agricultural sector in Guinea. The Ministry of Agriculture's
National Director of Plant Protection Services told POL LES that his
office lacks "modern pulverizers, insecticides, and resources to
overcome this disaster." The absence of agricultural extensionists,
active pest control programs, coordination with agricultural
chemical producers, combined with the lack of agricultural credit,
leave subsistence farmers with no means of combating the infestation
other than burning. Although monitoring is recommended, it is
unlikely that the GoG will be able to do so, which may ultimately
amplify the negative effects of the infestation.
10. Post would appreciate AF/W confirming that a disaster
declaration (if warranted) would be regarded as appropriate
humanitarian assistance notwithstanding the current suspension.
RASPOLIC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR EAID ECON KSCA GV
SUBJECT: CATERPILLAR INFESTATION HIGHLIGHTS WEAK AGRICULTURAL
SECTOR
1. This is an action request. Please see paragraph 10.
2. SUMMARY. The rare plague of caterpillars that devastated farm
land in north and central Liberia has spread into the southern
Forest Region of Guinea destroying crops, polluting water sources,
and forcing farmers and families to remain in their villages and
away from their fields. However, the infestation is unlikely to
cause a widespread food emergency in Guinea. Pest control measures,
including insecticide applications, have been initiated in Guinea,
but no specific information on the efficacy of the spraying has been
reported so far. Continued monitoring is critical both to ensure
access to clean water supplies and that the infestation does not
continue into the rainy season endangering vulnerable new crops.
The infestation highlights the weakness of the agricultural sector
in Guinea and the vulnerability of subsistence farmers. The GoG
likely lacks the resources to respond adequately to meet the
immediate needs of the affected population. END SUMMARY.
--------------
ECOLOGY AND CONTROL
--------------
3. Originally thought to be highly destructive army worms, the
insects have now been positively identified as the caterpillars of
the moth Achaea catocaloides. Relatively little is known about their
ecology, life-cycle, or food sources in tropical ecosystems,
although they are familiar to farmers and are one of the most common
moths in the region. Endemic to West Africa and occurring through
Uganda to East Africa, A. catocaloides rarely appear in such
devastating numbers. The last infestation of such magnitude occurred
30 years ago in Liberia.
In high densities, the insects are defoliators and can strip vast
swaths as they reproduce and devour food sources. A.catocaloides
spin their cocoons on the ground making them susceptible to
eradication through ground spraying and fires. In the current rare
infestation, tens of millions have been reported on the ground in
Guinea, dropping from trees, and falling into streams and rivers.
Villagers use smokey fires to keep the insects away from their homes
at night.
--------------
GUINEA INFILTRATION
--------------
4. The caterpillars have spread 25 kilometers into the lower Forest
Region of Guinea. The Minister of Agriculture, Abdourahmane Sano,
accompanied by a team of plant protection experts travelled to the
Forest Region on January 31 to February 4 and met with villagers in
Yowa, Yowi, Bafala, Gangamou, Tonote and Benie in Yomou Prefecture,
located along the Liberian border. At this time, approximately 500
hectacres with coffee, cacao and bananas plantations and 4500
forested hectares are infested. The Ministry of Agriculture
estimates that between 3,000 and 5,000 individuals are currently
affected.
5. Describing the situation, the mayor of Yomou, Mr. Bfamon
Doualamou, said: "There is general panic in the area. Farmers are
helpless and in serious need of drinkable water and assistance."
When asked what effect the spraying had, he said that there is not
enough manpower, insecticide or equipment to deal with the invasion.
The local Director of Agriculture stated that most villagers were
subsisting for now on cassava, a crop that is stored in the ground.
When asked about the scope of the infestation, he said there were
"billions" of caterpillars.
--------------
CONTAMINATED WATER SOURCES
--------------
6. The caterpillars have severely polluted water sources with their
excrement. Mr Doualamou described the extent of the contamination,
saying: "Rivers in the area are affected to the point that fish are
dying in large numbers." Only one of the affected villages, Yowa,
has a protected well. When asked how the other villages were coping
with no water, he said, "as best they can." A USAID fact finding
trip to Yomou on February 2 revealed that some villages have lacked
water for 2-3 months depending on the level of infestation, and that
some villagers are now suffering from diarrhea and respiratory
conditions. It is possible that the rainy season will flush and
renew water sources, but in the meantime, the population remains at
risk for water-borne diseases. Until the dry season ends in May,
water quality will continue to be a major concern and should be
monitored, although the Guinean Government likely lacks the capacity
to do so.
--------------
REGIONAL FOOD EMERGENCY UNLIKELY
--------------
7. While the caterpillars have destroyed some crops, forests, and
surrounding vegetation, a widespread food emergency seems unlikely.
The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that most
of the essential food crops (manioc/cassava, rice, maize and millet)
are not yet in the ground as it is the dry season. However, farmers
may be late in ground preparation and other pest control activities
may delay planting in time for the wet season. Continued monitoring
of the situation is essential to reduce the risk of food insecurity,
especially because experts warn of a potential continued infestation
as the caterpillars reproduce into the rainy season and the
possibility that farmers may consume next year's seed stock.
--------------
CONTROL EFFORTS UNDERWAY
--------------
8. In Guinea, a pest control team recently began spraying in
affected areas in the Forest Region. The GoG supplied an inadequate
quantity of pesticide (600 liters) to Yomou Prefecture. Poorly
controlled insecticide application is another area of concern as
health and safety standards and guidelines may be compromised. USAID
LES noted the absence of aid organizations in the area and that the
FAO had no visible field interventions underway. A meeting in
Monrovia between Guinean and Liberian officials is planned this
month to discuss the situation and harmonize control methods.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
9. The current A. catocaloides infestation appears to be a rare
occurrence which has heightened the vulnerability of thousands of
subsistence farmers and villagers, and highlighted the weakness of
the agricultural sector in Guinea. The Ministry of Agriculture's
National Director of Plant Protection Services told POL LES that his
office lacks "modern pulverizers, insecticides, and resources to
overcome this disaster." The absence of agricultural extensionists,
active pest control programs, coordination with agricultural
chemical producers, combined with the lack of agricultural credit,
leave subsistence farmers with no means of combating the infestation
other than burning. Although monitoring is recommended, it is
unlikely that the GoG will be able to do so, which may ultimately
amplify the negative effects of the infestation.
10. Post would appreciate AF/W confirming that a disaster
declaration (if warranted) would be regarded as appropriate
humanitarian assistance notwithstanding the current suspension.
RASPOLIC