Farmers urged to act swiftly

Green peach aphid infestation threatens crops in Sulaymaniyah’s Garmian

SULAYMANIYAH — The Garmian Agriculture Directorate, part of the independent administration within Sulaymaniyah governorate, has issued an urgent warning about a severe infestation of Myzus persicae, commonly known as the green peach aphid. This pest is spreading rapidly across agricultural lands, feeding on plant sap and secreting a sugary substance that attracts ants, exacerbating crop damage.

According to a statement from the directorate, the infestation is stunting plant growth, harming flowers, and significantly reducing yields. Myzus persicae is also a vector for numerous crop-damaging viruses, capable of transmitting pathogens as it feeds on infected plants. The directorate stressed that even a brief delay in pesticide application—two to three days—could allow the infestation to spread across fields, leading to extensive agricultural losses.

Farmers in the region have been advised to apply pesticides regularly, particularly every ten days on legume crops, to mitigate the pest’s impact. “Farmers must ensure thorough pesticide application, especially targeting the lower parts of plants where the aphids tend to hide,” the Garmian Agriculture Directorate stated.

To address the infestation, the directorate has recommended a range of pesticides, including Acetamiprid, Imidacloprid, Chlorpyrifos, Thiamethoxam, Dimethoate, Pirimicarb, Flonicamid, and Malathion. These pesticides are available at local agricultural offices, where experts are on hand to provide farmers with guidance on their safe and effective use.

Located in the southern part of Sulaymaniyah governorate, Garmian benefits from a warmer climate, allowing agricultural activities to begin earlier than in other parts of the Kurdistan region. This early start enables farmers to plant and harvest crops ahead of their counterparts in cooler areas, making the region a vital hub for agriculture.