WITH the cholera epidemic taking center stage in our country, little attention has been paid to the sporadic appearance of the dreaded armyworm across the country. Let us not be caught with our guard down like was the case last year when the writing is on the wall.
Last year, the pest was sported early on the Copperbelt but delayed action meant it spread to other parts of the country and before we knew it, thousands of hectares of crops were under surge and we risked our food security.
With the slow pace of delivering farming inputs to the farmers this season, it is prudent that the crops already growing in our fields are protected in order to enhance food security.
That is the reason we are concerned with the news coming from North-Western Province Solwezi’s Kyalalankuba area in particular where the latest outbreak of armyworms has been reported. What is more concerning is the lassie faire attitude the affected farmers have towards stopping the spread of the pest.
After last year occurrence, Government took a study and gave timely warning that the armyworm will make a return this farming season early before the onset of the rains. But our farmers seem to take it lightly. The armyworm ravaged maize fields last season that contributed to reduced crop yield for our hard working farmers which in turn hurt their income.
The maize munching armyworm is classified as a quarantine pest and countries with confirmed outbreak risk crop export ban on agricultural products. Hence, we are very concerned with no or late report of the presence to local authorities who have the means to exterminate the pest before they devoir large hectares of the crops fields.
Government through the Ministry of Agriculture has placed officers in strategic locations to help deal with the crop eating pest but they need help from the affected farmers in sounding the early alarm because time is of paramount importance in dealing with the spread of the pest.
Even if the peasant farmers have the means to purchase their own chemical for spraying the fields, it is important to seek professional help. Agriculture officers will give advice on what is the best possible way to tackle the worm.
Last season, a lot of remedies were being peddled about by social media experts including washing detergent, ash and other bizarre solutions. It did not help as the armyworm marched on with increased force. We thought we had learnt from the experience alas not.
The armyworm has been reported in Lusaka, Eastern, Copperbelt, Central and now North-Western Province geographically covering a vast area of the country. It just goes to show the magnitude of the threat to our crop and food security.
Last year, we had help from our men in uniform but they are already on the cholera frontline. We appealing to our farmers to take charge and nip the armyworm problem in the bud. The authorities should also take a proactive approach before It is too late.