Armyworm scare in Mash West

Agricultural experts in Mashonaland West have warned farmers to be on the alert for the fall armyworm that has been detected in some parts of the province.

The warning comes just days after farmers have returned to their fields following the recent rains.
There have been reports of a fall armyworm outbreak in Sanyati District recently. In an interview, Mashonaland West provincial crop and livestock production officer Mrs Edna Shambare said the African armyworm had also been detected across the province and urged farmers to expeditiously deal with the outbreak and avoid losses.

“For the African armyworm, Government is supplying pesticides to farmers, but for the fall armyworm we are encouraging farmers to be responsible for their crops,” she said.

“To the contracted farmers whose crop is being affected by the armyworm, we are encouraging them to go and apply for pesticides so that their crops are not affected.”

Farmers have appealed to Government to intervene in the fight against the ravaging armyworm.
In an interview, Zvimba farmer Mr Terrance Mtema appealed to Government to increase awareness on armyworm, saying some farmers were not prepared due to ignorance.

“My crop has been ravaged and I was not aware of the chemicals to use when I first discovered the pest and when I managed to buy them I did not how to apply them,” he said.

Mr Taison Ncube, a farmer from Hurungwe District, said most farmers were not able to positively identify the fall armyworm.
He said they could not tell the difference between the fall armyworm, the larger stalk-borer and African armyworm.