Farmers all over Zimbabwe have been told to look for signs of the African armyworm after moths were seen in some areas at the end of last year.
The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, and Rural Development issued a public notice stressing the importance of finding the pest early and moving quickly to protect crops from damage.
Farmers have been told to report any possible infestations immediately to the AGRITEX officers or the Migratory Pests Control Department in their area. The government stressed the importance of acting quickly to minimize crop damage.
Affected Places
Moths have been seen in Gokwe South in the Midlands, Umguza in Matabeleland North, Rushinga, Mt. Darwin, Mushumbi Pools, and Shamva in Mashonaland Central.
Farmers in these places are told to regularly check their fields and pastures for signs of the pest.
The African armyworm, whose formal name is Spodoptera exempta, is a caterpillar known for destroying cereal crops like maize, sorghum, millet, and pasture grasses.
How Armyworms Can Hurt You
The pest gets its name from how its larvae move to new food sources: they often move in groups that look like an army moving.
The armyworm is the juvenile stage of a moth species. It is one of the worst pests for crops in sub-Saharan Africa.
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The ministry warned farmers that if they find the pest, they need to move quickly because it can cause extensive damage, especially to cereal crops.
Government Support Authorities told farmers that they would quickly send resources and experts to any reports of pests.
They also asked people in the community to work together to monitor the pest and report it to limit damage.
Farmers are being told to stay alert as the rainy season continues, which makes conditions favourable for the pest to spread.
Keeping food safety in mind
Because the African armyworm is a major threat to food security in affected areas, moving quickly and monitoring the situation is very important.
Farmers are told to prioritise crop inspections and stay in touch with agricultural officers so that any signs of infestation can be dealt with quickly.
The government is still determined to work closely with farmers to protect their crops and ways of making a living from the African armyworm.
