Persea Mite Infestation Terrorizing Avocado Farmers in Bomet.
By Festus Ronoh | BOMET COUNTY,
Avocado farmers in Bomet County are appealing to the national government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, to intervene following an outbreak of the Persea mite (Oligonychus perseae), a pest that has significantly affected avocado production in the area.
Speaking to Kass Media Group at his farm in Chemaner, Bomet East, farmer William Langat said the infestation has caused heavy losses, threatening the livelihoods of many farmers who depend on avocado farming as their main source of income.
“We depend on avocado farming here in Bomet East, and this pest has greatly affected our production,” said Langat.
He urged the government to conduct extensive research and provide effective solutions to control the infestation before more farmers incur further losses.
“I call upon the government to help us deal with this problem because the cost of pesticides needed to control the Persea mite is very high and beyond the reach of many farmers,” he added.
Farmers in the region are now hoping for urgent intervention from agricultural experts to contain the spread of the pest and protect one of Bomet County’s key cash crops.
