adminPrecious Manomano
Herald Reporter
Farmers must be alert and practice recommended control and management to protect crops from pests and diseases during this rainy season, with extra care as grain matures towards harvest, so that their yields and crop quality are not affected.
Lots of rain can bring in diseases, as well as provide food for a range of pests such as seed-eating quelea.
The latest pre-harvest crop, livestock and fisheries assessment for the present summer season from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development lists several dangers, with the most menacing at the moment being the fall armyworm attacking cereals such as maize.
This pest has now affected all provinces and infestation levels increased during the dry conditions after a period of continuous rains.
The pest can be controlled with recommended chemicals.
Incidences of armoured cricket were reported in the Lowveld, with the pest affecting sorghum and pearl millet.
Prevalence of diseases such as corn smut, maize streak virus and grey leaf spot was not so pronounced, but were reported in some of the maize and sorghum crops.
Grasshopper infestations and locust outbreaks were not reported this season.
Migratory pests and biosecurity control acting director Mr Shingirai Nyamutukwa said the biggest challenge faced by farmers this season were the quelea birds, which are attacking traditional crops, including millet and sorghum.
Some of the areas that have reported this pest include Muzarabani, Mt Darwin, Chipinge, Chiredzi, Chikombedzi, Plumtree, Nyamandlovu, Hwange and Bubi.
In winter, quelea attack wheat, but maize seeds are too large for the tiny birds — naturally an eater of grass seeds, but which can switch to the smaller grain crops as they breed swarms of millions of birds.
But the migratory pests department is increasing its control measures.
Said Mr Nyamutukwa: “Through the pest command centre, our farmers are giving reports day in and day out. These reports are increasing now, especially at a time when most of the crops are reaching their maturity stages.
“Controls are still ongoing but because of the increase in the number of reports, we are planning to increase or scale up our operations in all these areas.”
Mr Nyamutukwa said the partnership with Botswana had also assisted in the management of quelea birds, especially the Pandamatenga region bordering the two countries.
Government has urged farmers to report any pest outbreaks that can trigger huge economic losses if not contained and derail the nation’s charge towards Vision 2030 of an empowered upper middle income society.
Under Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 1, Zimbabwe plans to boost agricultural productivity, food security and self-sufficiency.
Pests and diseases have been a threat to summer subsistence crops in Zimbabwe for years. If not controlled adequately, they can cause huge losses through reduced yields.
During the rainy season, several pests and diseases attack crops with some wiping out a whole field.
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers’ Union (ZCFU) president, Dr Shadreck Makombe, applauded the Government’s efforts to fight pests, saying it was a step towards food security.
“This initiative by the Government is indeed a positive move in the right direction considering that pests and diseases are the major causes of reduced crop productivity, hence controlling pests will assure the country of bumper harvests,” he
said.
“This will reduce food imports since we will be self-sufficient.”
Online Reporter