Pest onslaught cuts crop yields, Threatens food security in part of the middle belt, Nigeria
Agriculture is the backbone of rural livelihoods in Nasarawa State, Nigeria, with crops such as maize, sorghum, cowpea, pigeon pea, tomato, and vegetables forming the major sources of food and income for farming households. However, crop production in the state is consistently threatened by insect pests and disease infestations, which reduce yield, degrade produce quality, and contribute to significant post-harvest losses. In the field, major pests such as the Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda, aphids Aphis craccivora, thrips Megalurothrips sjostedti, pod bugs Anoplocnemis curvipes, Maruca pod borer Maruca vitrata, and the tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta have been reported to cause severe damage to cereals, legumes, and vegetables across several Local Government Areas including Keffi, Doma, Lafia, and Panda. In storage, grain losses of 20-30% have been attributed to coleopteran pests such as Sitophilus spp., Tribolium spp., Oryzaephilus spp., and Callosobruchus maculatus, threatening food security and farmers’ income. The intensity of these infestations is further aggravated by factors such as erratic rainfall, late planting, poor storage practices, limited access to effective pesticides, and low adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Despite the economic importance of agriculture in Nasarawa State, there remains limited documented information on the diversity, prevalence, and impact of major pests across different crops and farming systems in the area. Therefore, understanding the key pest species affecting farming in Nasarawa State is critical for designing appropriate, sustainable, and cost-effective pest management strategies that can improve productivity, reduce losses, and enhance food security for farmers in the region.
Doma farmers said Fall Armyworm destroyed young maize within days. The pest feeds on the whorl and cob, leaving holes and sawdust-like droppings. Many had to replant, raising costs. Experts warn it can cut maize yield by 20-50% and also invites ear rot. “We sprayed twice but it kept coming back,” said Malam Suleiman. Uncontrolled, it threatens food security in Nasarawa this season
In Lafia, farmers blamed aphids for curling and yellowing of cowpea leaves. The tiny insects suck sap from shoots and pods, weakening plants. Their honeydew encourages black sooty mold that blocks sunlight. Farmers also noted aphids spread plant viruses. “The leaves become sticky and the plant stunts,” said Mrs. Eze. Heavy aphid pressure has reduced both grain quality and market price for legumes.
Thrips are causing flower drop in cowpea across Nasarawa. They feed on buds and young pods, leading to scarring and poor grain formation. During the dry season, losses can reach 70%. “The flowers fall before pods form. What remains is discolored,” lamented Alhaji Musa. Traders reject damaged pods, so farmers lose income. Experts say early planting and timely spraying can reduce thrips damage significantly.
The pod bug is called “the silent destroyer” by Keffi farmers. It pierces developing pods with needle-like mouthparts and sucks the seeds. Infested pods produce shriveled, stained grains unfit for sale. “You open the pod and find nothing inside,” said Mrs. Ibrahim. Late sowing worsens attack. The pest is now ranked among the top 3 legume pests limiting yield in Nasarawa, Benue and Kogi.
Cowpea growers are battling Maruca, a caterpillar that webs flowers and pods together. The larvae bore into pods and feed on seeds. One worm can ruin several pods. “At flowering, the whole field looks tied with silk,” said Mr. Oche. The damage directly cuts grain yield and quality. Without control, Maruca can wipe out a large portion of cowpea harvest, especially in fields planted late.
Panda tomato farmers are in crisis due to Tuta absoluta. The pest mines leaves, stems and fruits, creating tunnels that lead to rot. “I entered my greenhouse and everything was finished,” said Mr. Bala, who has now stopped planting tomato. Control requires expensive chemicals. Heavy rains worsen the problem by increasing fruit decay. Experts warn Tuta can cause 100% loss if not managed early.
Storage pests are draining farmers’ profits in Keffi market. Weevils like Sitophilus bore into dry grains, reducing weight and germination. A recent survey found them as the most common pest. “If you don’t dry and treat well, they finish a bag in 2 months,” said Mama Janet. Losses reach 20-30% nationally. Infested grains sell cheap or are rejected, worsening food insecurity during the lean season.
In Lafia, stored cowpea is under attack by bruchids. The beetle lays eggs on seeds. Larvae develop inside, emerging as adults and leaving holes. Within weeks, seeds turn to powder. “No buyer will touch it,” said Mallam Yakubu. The pest spreads fast in warm stores and ruins both food and seed stock. Farmers say poor storage and lack of treatment are the main reasons for heavy losses.
The combined impact of these pest infestations on farming is severe and far-reaching. Field pests like Fall Armyworm, Tuta absoluta, thrips, aphids, pod bugs and Maruca are drastically reducing yields of maize, tomato, cowpea and pigeon pea, with some farmers forced to replant or abandon crops entirely. In storage, grain weevils and cowpea bruchids are causing 20-30% losses of maize, sorghum and cowpea, leading to food shortages during the lean season. Economically, damaged produce fetches lower market prices or is rejected, while the high cost of pesticides and repeated spraying is pushing many smallholder farmers into debt. The result is reduced food availability, higher food prices, increased poverty, health risks from chemical misuse, and a growing reluctance among farmers to grow high-value but pest-prone crops like tomato and cowpea, thereby threatening food security and rural livelihoods across the state.
