COCONUT farmers in the Lower Pomeroon River area, especially those in the Tenneze Ferme area, are calling on the Ministry of Agriculture to assist them in getting rid of the caterpillar worms – commonly known to the farmers as the ‘coconut worms’ – that are attacking their coconut trees.

This composite photo shows the coconut worms and a first-hand look at the damage to coconut trees.

During a visit to the farms of Mr. Alfro and Henry Alphonso, this newspaper saw the extent of the damage currently taking place on the large coconut plantations.

According to the worried farmers, if swift action is not taken, they might lose their plantation – the only means they depend on after the many floods that have hit the Pomeroon River in recent time and which have destroyed their other crops.

Farmers said they use to inject the trees with monocutopus but since this pesticide is no longer available on the market, the worms are breeding in larger numbers than before.

When contacted, Mr. Spellen from the department of Agriculture in Region Two said he would do some research on alternative pesticides and promise to pay a visit to the area soon.

He advised the farmers to use ‘Imidacloprid’ and ‘Pronto 60%’ in an effort to kill the worms. He also advised farmers to contact him for the correct mixture of the poison.

The coconut industry is the main source of income and living for residents of the Lower Pomeroon and they supplied most of their copra to the Pomeroon Oil Mill Inc.

The Management of the Pomeroon Oil Mill also joined the farmers in calling on the Ministry of Agriculture to look into the matter and find a possible solution to getting rid of the worms.

It was also pointed out by the Management of the Pomeroon Oil Mill that if the coconut industry is under treat, the mill will also be affected due to the shortage of copra. (Essequibo correspondent Brandon Cabose)