234 Farmers Assisted With Chemicals to Combat Army Worm Outbreak
Written by Skyz Metro FM on January 23, 2024
By Vuyisile L. Dube
23 January 2024
The government has alerted citizens of an army worm out break which has struck the country this farming season.
According to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development atleast 234 farmers have been assisted with chemicals to combat African Army Worm pests.
Acting Director responsible for Migratory Pest Control Nyamutukwa Shingirayi spoke on the matter and said they have been a total of four provinces that are on record.
“We have a total of four provinces so far that have given reports of outbreaks starting from Mashonaland East where we received an outbreak report around Christmas time last year,” said Shingirayi.
A total of 164.5 hectares if land has been affected by the pests, with 54.83 hectares of sorghum and less than 1 hectare of finger millet being attacked by African Army worm.
“In most cases these caterpillars move en masse, in large numbers and they have a velvet-black colour in appearance,” Shingirayi said.
Farmers have been encouraged to scout their fields regularly and on a daily basis if possible in order to prevent loss of crops which may likely not be replaced by replanting due to the late planting done by farmers nationwide.
Skyz Metro FM