7 April 2008
Lubango — The plague of worms that destroyed several fields in March this year in Angola's southern Huíla province is threatening the 2007/2008 agricultural season.
This was said in Lubango city, capital of Huila province, by the region's top traditional leader, Joaquim Huleipo.
Speaking to Angop, the chieftain said that over 90 percent of the crops in Quipungo, Cacula, Chibia, Humpata, Gambos and Matala were destroyed by the insects.
Joaquim Huleipo stated as well that the season has already been threatened by 50 percent, due to the drought that faced the region in December 2007 and January this year.
Because of the seriousness of the situation, the traditional authority predicts that a food shortage might occur in coming months in the region.
On the other hand, he said that farmers will not be able to refund the loans they got from the Agriculture Development Station (EDA) in the province.
A total of 540,000 hectares of maize mainly were ploughed this season in the region.
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