Corn farmers in Anuradhapura disgruntled by pest attacks

Colombo (News 1st) - Corn Farmers in Galenbidunuwewa, Anuradhapura are facing difficulties due to a prevailing pest threat. The livelihood of the villagers of Galenbidunuwewa revolves mainly around paddy cultivation. However, a considerable number of people are engaged in corn cultivation. Due to the prevailing rains in the Anuradhapura district, the corn cultivation has dropped to around 60% compared to the previous year. Although they have continued cultivating amidst all these obstacles, the existing pest problem has posed as a major threat to the Corn cultivation. Now they have to bear an extra cost to protect the crop that they cultivated despite the heavy rains from the prevalent pest problem. The farmers complain that prices of insecticides to be used for preventing insect pests that destroy the crop are very high. The farmers who face many obstacles in their lives are made helpless before this pest infestation. The farmers further pointed out that there is a risk of this spreading not only in Galenbidunuwewa but also to many areas in the Anuradhapura district.