Empaer helps producers to contain locust infestation in Mato Grosso

Technicians from the Mato Grosso Research, Assistance and Rural Extension Company (Empaer) helped, this week, a producer from Poxoréu in controlling a grasshopper infestation that has been causing disruption in the region. The cloud has already devastated the orchard and was advancing to the cornfield and neighboring properties.

Empaer technicians Fernando Thiago Alves de Oliveira Xavier and Lazaro Franco, together with secretary José Nilton Pereira dos Santos and councilor Sônia Borges de Moraes, went to the property of farmer Almiro Franco, 83 years old. The intensity of the insect attacks that consumed all the vegetation on the site was confirmed.

The property is located in the District of Alto Coité, 10 km from Poxoréu and 30 km from Primavera do Leste. Five days ago, the producer noticed the pest in his orchard and that it was spreading to the corn crop. Technician Fernando Thiago explains that two options were recommended to producers: chemical control or biological insecticides.

“An aerial application with chemical control would affect neighboring areas as they are close to houses in the District. There is also the option of using a directed jet with motorized pumps reaching the lowest part, which reduces the incidence with the application of biological insecticides based on beauveria bassiana or metarhizium anisopliae. In this case, the process is slower because it is biological and does not affect more developed insects.” 

According to Fernando, the team is committed to helping producers find the best way to control the pest. “We have already noticed that the insects are heading to neighboring properties and the incidence will be greater as soon as they notice the end of the vegetation and are looking for more food.”

The Secretary of Development, Agriculture and Environment, José Nilton Pereira dos Santos, said that this is the first time that the city has recorded a locust infestation. “As soon as we received the information, we went to the property and confirmed what happened. We have also contacted a team from the State Agricultural Defense Institute (Indea) to assist with guidance. We noticed that the cloud was heading towards Mr. Almiro’s neighboring properties.”

The producer says he was desperate and didn't know what to do. “They have already eaten all the foliage from the mango, guava and cashew trees. It's heartbreaking to see 15 years of work and dedication disappear in hours. Now they started corn farming. This is the first time this has happened.”

Almiro highlights that as soon as he sought guidance he was assisted. “I contacted the Department of Development, Agriculture and Environment and Empaer and was relieved when the team was on the property and assured that they would seek a solution to my problem.”