Officials, farmers trade charges on weevil spread

Mohammad Al-Sheiha, secretary-general of agricultural affairs, announced that the Ministry of Agriculture plans on imposing hefty fines on individuals complicit in the illegal transfer of saplings.
Al-Sheiha indicated that the farmers share much of the responsibility for the recent outbreak of the red palm weevil because they smuggled saplings in contravention to the rules and regulations stipulated by the ministry. He said the issue would receive wider attention in the upcoming meetings, which are to be held with farmers in Qasim, one of the areas hardest-hit with weevil.
The secretary general went on to explain that several solutions are currently being studied to combat the lethal pest. He also attributed shortage of cadres at the ministry, who are proficient in combating the pest, as well as negligence on part of the farmers for the mounting agricultural problem.
Al-Sheiha suggested the creation of a joint committee composed of representative from the ministry and local farmers that would enhance cooperation between the two sides and generate solutions to eliminate the pest.
Abdul Rahman Al-Dawood, a consultant for the Ministry of Agriculture, refuted the farmers’ allegations regarding the ministry’s insufficient action against the red palm weevil.
On the other hand, Abdullah Al Ayyaf, head of the Date Producers Society, suggested the need for a clear system that delineates rules and imposes penalties upon farmers who do not adhere to the ministry’s instructions on means to eradicate the pest.
Farmers have been complaining about the lack of adequate support from the Ministry of Agriculture, in addition to inadequate technical cadres as well as insufficient training provided to them.
As the ministry officials and farmers trade blames, the weevil continues to spread rapidly in Qasim.