Aphids threaten cane yields in Nyanza, Western

Almost half of the sugarcane yields in Western and parts of Nyanza could be destroyed following an outbreak of the yellow aphid pest.

The Sugar Research Institute researchers in Kibos and their Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service counterparts toured affected farms last week and collected samples for analysis.

Dr Betty Mulianga, the centre director Kibos, said the researchers would seek to establish the best way to contain the pest, which has been detected in Soin in Nyanza and parts of the western region.

In western, large tracts of sugarcane farms in Kakamega are withering after an attack by the pest that could further disrupt the supply of raw material and cripple sugar millers struggling to sustain operations due to shortages.

The current dry spell in the region has worsened the pest attacks. “The pest actually thrives in drought-related conditions and could destroy up to 50 per cent of the yields if urgent interventions are not made to contain the pest,” Dr Mulianga, adding the aphids were discovered during a similar period last year.