Emergency declared after corn pest attacks

Agriculture Minister Javier Ponce signed the decree declaring in an emergency maize growing areas affected by viruses and fungi in the provinces of Guayas and Los Rios: El Empalme, Balzar, Buena Fe, Palenque, Quevedo, Quinsaloma, Mocache, Valencia and Vinces.

The Corn Growers Association (Fenamaíz) had requested the urgent attention for the sector because a cocktail of pests affects production and threatens the crops of the coming years.

Cesar Herrera, honorary president of the union, since 2015 calls for assistance for the sector. He was the one who warned of the problem through daily Expreso.

The decree applies for a period of six months which may be extended if weather conditions and the spread of these diseases persist in the affected areas.

Source: http://expreso.ec/economia/declaran-en-emergencia-al-maiz-por-el-ataque-de-plagas-DM385126