LIVINGSTONE MARUFU
The government has alerted farmers to the potential invasion of deadly African armyworms during the impending dry spell that is predicted to last for several weeks.
Fall armyworm thrives in hot conditions.
Four provinces — Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central, and Midlands — have already been devastated by the pest. However, the Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development Ministry is on high alert due to the pests already present in the area and is supplying insecticides to the impacted farmers.
Shingirayi Nyamutukwa, Acting Director Responsible for Migratory Pest Control in the Lands Ministry, said the agricultural extension officers in various provinces are on high alert with chemicals to control the pest.
“We are expecting these outbreaks to increase given that the rains have subsided and we are encouraging our farmers to frequently scout their fields.
“Farmers should scout their fields daily to identify if there are any pests.
“If the farmers see the black caterpillars with a velvet coating they should report to agriculture extension officers so that we move in with chemicals to control these pests.We planted late and there is no time for replanting hence we don’t want to lose any crop to these pests.
“We encourage prompt reporting,” Nyamutukwa said.
The fall armyworm is spreading quickly, he claimed, although the initial report came from Mashonaland East around Christmas time last year.
“As of Monday this week, 164.5 hectares of maize have been affected by armyworm while a total of 58.3 hectares of sorghum, close to a hectare of finger millet, has been attacked by the armyworm and at least 32 hectares of pastures have been damaged by the armyworm,” Nyamutukwa said.
He urged the farmer to scout fields daily for fall armyworm and make a decision to spray with appropriately registered pesticide.
The farmers are urged to scout and spray in the morning or late evening.
