Stink bug infestation threatens Koya wheat crops

KOYA, Kurdistan Region — An insect infestation is threatening wheat crops in Koya, Erbil province.

“They destroy the wheat,” said farmer Hardi Qadir. Last month, stink bugs invaded his 50-acre wheat crop in Pirar village. 

Farmers said the stink bugs have increased in number over the past three years. They tried using pesticides, but the bugs came back.

“If I use pesticides on my field and my neighbour doesn’t, the stink bugs will immediately return when the effect of chemicals wears off. So every field gets damaged,” said farmer Bashar Baiz. 

The farmers are facing revenue losses and some didn’t even bother to plant their fields this year. 

The Agriculture and Water Resources Ministry of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) said it is looking for funding to help the farmers buy pesticides.

 

Translation and video editing by Sarkawt Mohammed