Sweet Potato Peril

Sweet murphy cultivation successful confederate Alicante faces a increasing threat from a definite mini creature: nan African saccharine murphy weevil. ASAJA (Young Farmers’ Agricultural Association) Alicante reports that nan (seed) disease now affects astir 30 per cent of nan region’s 800 hectares of saccharine murphy crops crossed Vega Baja, including municipalities specified arsenic Guardamar, Rojales, Catral, San Fulgencio, Almoradí, and Orihuela. The organisation warns that if urgent action is not taken, nan full harvest could beryllium mislaid successful 2026.

Native to parts of Africa betwixt nan Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, nan beetle chiefly feeds connected saccharine murphy but tin besides harm maize and cotton. Although it is not officially classified arsenic a quarantine (seed) disease successful nan European Union, its effect connected section agriculture is raising superior concerns.

Several power strategies person been recommended by authorities, including earlier planting, nan usage of short-cycle varieties, and harvest rotation. Other measures see utilizing officially certified planting material, solarising ungraded during nan summer, and removing leftover plants and tubers aft harvest.

Vega Baja is known for its horticultural tradition, and nan area relies connected saccharine potatoes arsenic a strategical harvest for employment and economical sustainability. With nan region’s saccharine murphy accumulation estimated astatine 40 cardinal kilograms, which is worthy astir €20 million, ASAJA Alicante is urging nan authorities to o.k. effective insecticides and return urgent measures to get nan (seed) disease nether power and protect nan section economy.