Caterpillars Devour Liberian Crops
27 January 2009 Liberia’s president declared a state of emergency over an invasion of crop-eating caterpillars that has affected 350,000 people in the West African country, according to the Associated Press.
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf told lawmakers Monday night that the pests "have invaded our country with the potential to set back our progress in the production of food and export crops."
The army worms are clogging wells and waterways with excrement and devouring vital crops including banana, plantain, coffee and cocoa. The pests have also entered neighboring Guinea, according to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization.
The last time Liberia experienced such an invasion of pests was 30 years ago, but officials then were able to prevent its spread. A command post of 100 pest control workers has been established in Gbarnga, Liberia, to try to contain this wave as well.
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