Expect fall army worms resurfacing - warns expert
FARMERS should expect the resurfacing of fall army worms during the 2018/19 farming season, says Lusaka District Agriculture Coordinator Pharaoh Daka.
In an interview with the Daily Nation, Mr Daka explained that the vegetation ravaging pests were in the soil and that once it starts raining they will hibernate.
He has however assured farmers that his ministry was ready to combat the outbreak.
“We had the outbreak the other season and last farming season so as a ministry we are ready for the outbreak; everything has been put in place in terms of pesticides to ensure that the pests are fought.
During the 2017/2018 farming season, crop production was threatened by army worms but the country managed to reap 3.6 million tons of maize.
The destructive crop eating pest was identified in the entire Southern African Development Community (SADC) in recent years.
In another development, Mr Daka said E-voucher system this farming season in Lusaka district.
Mr Daka said his office has received overwhelming response from farmers who were depositing their contributions in their respective accounts.
He noted that unlike the last farming season, the e-voucher system had few challenges among them the network lapses.
He however stated that it was a normal draw back and can only be managed by the service providers.
“We have targeted fifteen thousand seven hundred and eighty farmers in Lusaka and so far the response is good and a good number of them have deposited their contributions,
“he said.
Mr. Daka urged other farmers who have not yet deposited money to do so and get farming inputs on time adding that farmers will not only be subjected to specific inputs.
He advised farmers to obtain other inputs such as soya beans, and engage in fish farming and other farming businesses as a way of diversifying.
We have targeted fifteen thousand seven hundred and eighty farmers in Lusaka and so far the response is good. — Mr. Daka