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Precious Manomano Herald Reporter
African armyworm has been reported in nine districts of five provinces damaging 30,5 hectares of maize, 69,83ha of sorghum, 1ha of rapoko and 555,32ha of pastures with authorities warning the public around the country to be on the look out for the pest.
Reported cases in Mashonaland Central are Mbire districts wards 6, 7 and 8, and Guruve wards 2,4,5,6,7 and 21.
In Midlands, Gokwe North is affected in Nemangwe 3 ward 11, Nemangwe 4 ward 10, Chirisa 1 ward 23 and Gokwe South in Chisina 2 ward 24, Fakazi B and Muzila ward 24, and Somabuala Gweru in pastures.
In Mashonaland West, Sanyati district is affected in Chiridzangoma ward 1, 2, 3 and 4, Nyoka ward 3 and 4 and Makonde ward 13, Munofarm, Tidigu, Gomera and Majangara.
In Mashonaland East Mudzi district is affected in ward 6, 7 and in Masvingo ,Chiredzi district is affected in ward 10, 16, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29 and Chivi ward 10, 25 and 3.
About 79kg of carbaryl 85wp chemical was dispatched for control to Masvingo province.
In a recent interview the director of the department of migratory pests and biosecurity control Mr Shingirayi Nyamutukwa said there are enough chemicals to control the pests and people must report cases to avoid losses.
“Crops are vulnerable to these African armyworm. They move in great numbers and once they feed on the whole plant, there is no possibility of regrowing. We are encouraging scouting so that we are able to control the pests. We may fail to meet our target,” he said.
The department is distributing chemicals for armyworm free of charge and farmers are encouraged to report to the nearest Agritex offices.
Mr Nyamutukwa said farmers should be scouting daily to avoid losses.
Tobacco Farmers’ Union Trust president Mr Victor Mariranyika said there is a need to create awareness campaigns for every farmer.
“Farmers should be educated hence awareness programmes are effective when dealing with such issues. Agritex officers should also be working with farmers in identifying areas where African armyworms prefer.”
“We applaud the effort done by the Government so far to secure enough chemicals in preparation,” he said.
The African armyworm originates from Zambia, Uganda or Tanzania and is carried by strong winds from one area to another.
The armyworm is the larvae stage of a moth that is common in Southern Africa. The moth is easily identified by the colour of its wings which are dark brown with black spots, while hind wings are white with dark edges. The migratory moths travel in multitudes and cover long distances during the night. They can cross national boundaries within a short period while being driven by winds.
Experts note that the moths follow humid areas and lay eggs at a very fast rate.
The prospect of low yields from the 2019-2020 summer cropping season due to prolonged dry spells had been increased by reports of an outbreak of the African armyworm in some parts of the country where over 570 hectares of maize and sorghum were destroyed by armyworm in Mbire District, Mashonaland Central.
The armyworm is so destructive and it is a serious threat to food security. Problems of the armyworm have been reported for decades every cropping season.
Online Reporter