Strange insects attack sweet potatoes

Many sweet potato growing areas of farmers in Vinh Long province are being attacked by strange insects.

Purchasing sweet potatoes in Vinh Long

This insect is as small as a toothpick, about 4cm long, its body is dark gray, moving very fast. This insect does not destroy potatoes like devotees but only chisels one or several small holes.

Potato tubers with perforated insects are all devalued (called 'potato'). The price of sweet potato is 380,000 VND / quintal, but the price of potato is only a few tens of thousands of dong / quintal.

According to Mr. Le Duy Minh, Vice Chairman of People's Committee of Tan Thanh commune, Binh Tan district, Vinh Long province: one sweet potato (ha) gave about 50 quintals, then all of 30 quintals were washed.

Only Tan Thanh commune has about 1,260ha of sweet potatoes attacked by strange insects, accounting for about 70% of the commune's sweet potato area. Sweet potatoes are losing their value, being attacked by strange insects again, so potato farmers are losing money.

Facing the situation of sweet potatoes being attacked by strange insects, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vinh Long has assigned the Plant Protection Department to identify insects, find appropriate medicines to kill harmful insects. .