Fall armyworm on the march in Chipinge

FALL armyworm is destroying maize crops at Musikavanhu Irrigation Scheme in Chipinge, one of the biggest such schemes in the country.

In an interview last week, the irrigation scheme’s committee member, Mr Allen Dube, said their maize crop, which is at an early vegetative stage, was badly affected by the fall armyworm.

Mr Dube said many farmers were grappling to contain the outbreak as the pest was resisting chemicals used in previous seasons.

“Our maize, which is at early vegetative stage, has been affected by the invasion of the fall armyworm,” he said. “We tried our best to contain the outbreak, but the pest is now resisting the chemicals.

“We used to combat the pest by spraying our crops using Carbrayl and other chemicals, but this is not helping. Our extensions officer told us to try other chemicals such as Lannatte, but it is very expensive. It costs around $34 per litre which can only spray just a hectare.”

Another farmer, Mr Never Mlambo, called on Government to intervene.

“Our yields will definitely be affected by the fall armyworm,” he said.

“We are afraid that the situation will be worse if no intervention measures are taken. The chemicals are beyond our reach.”

Efforts to get a comment from Chipinge district Agritex officer, Mr Tapiwa Chagwesha, were fruitless as his mobile phone was not reachable.

But an extension worker in the area, who spoke on condition of anonymity citing protocol, confirmed the outbreak and urged Government to intervene before the fall armyworm spread to other areas.

“Yes, we have received reports from our farmers here that there are worms which are attacking their crops, said the Agritex officer. We are looking at ways of combating the spread of the worms to other areas.”