SEREMBAN: To date, it is estimated that 10 hectares of land in six districts in Negeri Sembilan have been overrun by the Mexico itchy weed or parthenium hysterophorus.
State Agriculture Department director Mustapa Umar said the six districts were Seremban, Kuala Pilah, Port Dickson, Tampin, Jelebu and Rembau.
“The detection of the weed is based on a census up to Dec 18. The situation is worrying, compounded by the
latest complaint on the weed from a member of the public from the 10th Mile, Labu (Seremban district).
“As such, an inspection will be conducted tomorrow, other than continuing extermination activities in those areas which had been identified previously,” he told Bernama here, yesterday.
The Mexico itchy weed is a wild plant from South and North America which has spread to Asia. It is said to be dangerous as it adversely affects the natural ecosystem, agricultural sector, livestock and human health. — Bernama