Ministry issues warning on maize smut [Archives:2008/1182/Local News]
August 18 2008
SANA'A, Aug. 13 – (IRIN) The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MAI) has warned farmers about a fungus known as “maize smut” and asked them to use seeds that do not contain the fungus.
The warning comes as the maize cultivation season gets under way.
Mansour al-Aqel, director-general of the MAI's agricultural information department, said maize smut appeared in Yemen many years ago due to farmers not selecting improved, clean seeds. The fungus only attacks maize.
“The spread of the disease depends on the farmers themselves. It is caused by selecting unclean spikes
