Termite menace haunts Ajloun farmers

AMMAN — Despite several attempts in the past few years to manage white ants on olive trees in Kufranjah district, the insect continues to cause widespread damage, affecting fruit-bearing trees, according to the Ajloun Governorate Council. 

Pests and fruit-tree diseases must be resolved before the “little critters” spread across Ajloun, said Sami Freihat, member of the Ajloun Governorate Council and Head of the Ajloun Agricultural Committee, told The Jordan Times on Tuesday.

Supervision over plant nurseries and fruit orchards must be intensified, he noted. 

“Those insects have been reported to have caused serious damage to local fruit trees. The problem becomes most serious when the receptacles [the part of the branch where flowers and fruit grow] of the plants get destroyed and eventually dry up,” Freihat said.

He added that farmers in the area call for immediate action to control termites with soil treatments, insecticide, comprehensive control operations and by placing the highest priority on resolving the issue. Previous insect control campaigns organised by Ministry of Agriculture have had “evident impact” on minimising the issue.

Ihab, a farmer in Ajloun, said termites have harmed the harvest, which many families rely on. Spraying campaigns must be organised to protect the fruits, especially from Loquat trees, which are considered to be one of the main sources of revenue, he told The Jordan Times on Tuesday.

“Identification of areas that will be sprayed is crucial, since white ants and other insects have reached other areas, such as Rajeb district,” Ihab added.