Govt declares war on armyworm

Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs Senator Monica Mutsvangwa (second from right) tours Mutasa District stand during the official opening of Manicaland Agricultural Show last Friday. -(Picture by Tinai Nyadzayo)

GOVERNMENT will leave no stone unturned in the search for lasting solutions to the fall armyworm problem, which has affected many farmers throughout the country in recent  seasons.

Speaking at the official opening of the Manicaland Agricultural Show last week, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said fall armyworm was a threat to national food security, hence the need to eliminate it.

“Besides the fall armyworm outbreaks, farmers are also facing challenges of late inputs distribution,” she said. “Government is, therefore, making frantic efforts to correct that as shown by the early distribution of the Presidential inputs this season.

“Most farmers have already received their dues. On fall armyworm, no stone will remain unturned until a solution is found to eliminate the pest, which is a threat to food security in this country.”

Minister Mutsvangwa urged farmers contracted under Command Agriculture to honour their contracts for continuity of the programme.

She described the agricultural show as an important vehicle for the advancement of agricultural extension services.

Minister Mutsvangwa said exhibiting gave farmers an opportunity to share innovations and new technologies under one roof.

She expressed concern over some tobacco farmers who were failing to adhere to tobacco production regulations.

She said the situation posed a serious threat to tobacco production in Manicaland province.

“The incidences of pest and disease infestation are going up exponentially, as farmers are not taking heed of the May 15 deadline for tobacco stalk destruction,” she said.

“Production per hectare is going down so much that average yield per hectare is ranging from 800 to 1 000 kilogrammes. This is basically caused by farmers who are failing to observe proper agricultural practices like rotation.”

Minister Mutsvangwa took a swipe at “middlemen” whom she said were continuing to rip off farmers at the tobacco auction floors.

She said the hectarage of irrigable land should be increased to ensure food security.

Minister Mutsvangwa encouraged the private sector to invest in irrigation infrastructure.

Speaking at the same event, Manicaland Agricultural Show Society president Mr Patient Mbarara encouraged farmers and other stakeholders to work together for mutual benefit.

“Research and experience has shown that no one monopolises knowledge, skill, expertise and resources, hence it is critical for different players from various sectors and within the same industry to collaborate with each other to reap maximum rewards from their operational efforts, which, in turn, will have a positive impact on economic performance at global level,” he said.

Mr Mbarara said exhibitors and stakeholders did not disappoint as they answered their call for participation at this year’s event as evidenced by an increase in commercial exhibitors compared to last year.

He said the quality of exhibits had also improved this year.