This photo shows extensive damage to scallion plant caused by the beet army worm. - Contributed

Army worm infestation problem under control with smart insecticide

The islandwide infestation of crops by the beet army worm has resulted in a $150-million loss of revenue to farmers.

This pest has been most pervasive in the parish of St Elizabeth. In response to this threat, Hi-Pro Farms Supplies has introduced farmers to a new high-technology BASF insecticide, Alverde, to help eliminate the pest.

The product has been successful in the fight against beet army worms, 28 other species of worms, potato beetle, bugs and ants throughout the Caribbean and South American region.

"Within a day, Alverde paralyses the pest, thereby minimising crop damage," said Orville Roache, technical sales agronomist at Hi-Pro Farm Suppliers - distributor of the insecticide. He said "Working with chemical manufacturer BASF, we have registered Alverde to combat this threat to farmers' livelihood. This insecticide is just one of a long list of successful BASF chemicals, now available to farmers through Hi-Pro Farm Supplies."

"Alverde can dramatically increase local food production by protecting field produce from pests. While the core business function of BASF is to increase crop yield, Hi-Pro's mandate is to ensure that our farmers produce profitably; so the collaboration is working," said Conley Salmon, Hi-Pro vice-president of marketing for feed and agricultural supplies.

Pleased with product

"We're very happy with this product because we are in a position to efficiently safeguard farmers' profits by controlling infestation," he continued.

Hi-Pro's agronomy team has already conducted demonstrations on a number of farms to prove the effectiveness of the insecticide.

"Over three years now, I'm having trouble with the beet army worm," said Roy Moxam, a farmer from Flagaman, St Elizabeth, and participant in the demonstrations, whose scallion crop has been consistently destroyed by beet armyworm.

"I used the Alverde on a half-acre of scallion and it destroyed the worms. The crop is now just fresh, green and pretty."

Safe for consumers

Alverde is classified by the US Environmental Protection Agency as a 'reduced risk candidate' for the environment, and is registered with the Pesticides Control Authority of Jamaica.

It is part of a new generation of chemicals with minimal environmental impact and active ingredients which rapidly break down - making it considerably safer for consumers of the produce than previous insecticides.