Story by Wellington Makonese
FOUR provinces have been affected by an African Armyworm outbreak, with the government providing free chemicals to contain the situation.
The emergence of the deadly African Armyworm that has also been reported around the SADC region has placed government on high alert.
In a media briefing this Tuesday, government revealed that while the situation is under control, significant maize and traditional grains crops are under attack.
“We have received updates from four provinces, Mashonaland Central, East, West, and Midlands where small grains are affected. As of now with the reports close to 192 hectares of maize have been affected, around 69 hectares of sorghum, and 32 pastures are affected,” said the Acting Director for the Department of Migratory Pests Control, Mr Shingirai Nyamutukwa.
To avert losses and to ensure the country remains food secure, periodical assessment has been deemed a priority.
“We are dealing with a deadly organism which can wipe out the crop 100 percent within a day, this is a lean season with less water so there is a need for serious scouting be it daily that is what we are encouraging farmers, we are providing free chemicals, and we have so far assisted over 200 households to save the crop.”
Experts have noted that containing the African Armyworm will be crucial to ensuring food security at a time when the country is experiencing a lean rainfall season.
