Various pests identified
Duhok agriculture addresses apple trees pest infestation
DUHOK — The agriculture department in Duhok has announced measures to address a pest infestation affecting apple trees in the Barwari Bala area, located in northern Duhok. The trees had been suffering from a disease that caused black and brown spots, leading to severe damage and deformities in the fruit.
Ahmed Jamil, Director General of Duhok Agriculture Directorate, confirmed to 964media that a team was dispatched to the affected area. The team identified several types of pests, including apple scab, apple moth, aphids, and codling moth.
Jamil explained that while some of these pests appear annually in various crops, this year’s heavy rain and hail have exacerbated their spread among the apple trees. To combat this, 670 liters of pesticide have been provided free of charge to the farmers in Barwari Bala. Farmers can obtain the pesticide from the agricultural department in the nearby Kani Masi sub-district.
Barwari Bala is renowned for its red apples and cultivates various apple varieties, including golden apples. According to the Duhok Agriculture Directorate’s statistics, last year’s severe cold reduced Barwari Bala’s apple production to 5,000 tons, compared to over 8,000 tons in previous years.
Reber Derishki, a local resident with knowledge of the region’s agriculture, reported that this year, more than half of Barwari Bala’s apple orchards are affected by the infestation. Speaking to 964media, Derishki said, “These diseases appear annually, but this year their spread has been extensive, and it is unlikely that the apple yield will be as good as previous years.”
Duhok is known for its diverse agricultural produce. The governorate grows different crops and supports multiple agricultural projects to enhance local production and reduce reliance on imports. A 5,000 square meter facility is set to be established in Duhok to collect and market local agricultural products.
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