Sharon Chigeza Mutare Correspondent
Manicaland farmers have been urged to be wary of invasive pests such as the larger grain borer and the fall armyworm, which have the potential to cause significant post-harvest losses if left unchecked.

Already, the larger grain borer has been detected in Masvingo province, prompting Agritex provincial agronomist for Manicaland, Mr Thomas Sakuhuni to highlight the need for farmers to be on high alert to avoid post-harvest grain losses.

Mr Sakuhuni said Manicaland was already prone to invasion by larger grain borer, which is easily spread by natural agents such as wind.

“The larger grain borer is a real threat and is already existent in the province. Masvingo province is a neighbouring province where reports have been made in Zaka and we are bound to be affected, as the worm is easily spread through natural agents such as the wind.

“The worm can also be spread through trade in grain within the country,” he said.

He further urged farmers to use recommended grain protectants in order to exterminate the pest.

Mr Sakuhuni also urged farmers to be on guard against the fall armyworm during preparations for the winter cropping season.

“The fall armyworm is a menace because it thrives in all weather conditions, it is highly-resistant to some chemicals and multiplies at an alarming                                                                                         rate.

“As farmers prepare land and plant winter wheat, as well as other winter crops, I highly recommend them to adopt mitigating methods such as spraying and hand-picking,” said Mr Sakuhuni.

The fall armyworm was first detected in Southern Africa in early 2017 in countries such as Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, Malawi, Botswana, Swaziland, Tanzania and Mozambique.

The pest has the potential to cause considerable crop damage in some countries in the region, threatening to reduce the expected production outlook for a particular year’s crop.