THE CROP Research Institute has deplored lack of government support in fighting the Fall Armyworm invasion.
Director of the Institute, Dr Stella Ama Ennin, says the support received by the Institute is channelled into the screening of insecticides developed in other countries.
Speaking at the Africa Scientific Renaissance Day in Kumasi, she said research into breeding maize plants which are resistant to the pest would be a lasting solution.
“Thank God we have some donors helping but they’re supporting aspects that are of interest to them. It’s good business for people along the chain but it’s good we develop technologies we can own and be able to commercialize,” she said.
“What we are doing is okay but we still need the breeding component. With the resistance, we’d need a minimum amount of chemical. So we’re still looking for financial support,” she added.
An entomologist at the Institute, Dr Kofi Frimpong-Anin, hinted at a model to predict the movement of the pest would be completed by 2019.
A similar system which has been developed for the African Armyworm is expected to bring down the pest population.
The Africa Scientific Renaissance Day is set aside by the AU to remind all African governments and people of the critical role that science and Technology play in national development.