Armyworm outbreak threatens maize yield

AN armyworm outbreak has hit some parts of Mashonaland West Province, with farmers reporting damage to several hectares of the newly planted maize crop.

Some A1 and A2 farmers in Mhangura told The Herald that although the attack was not severe, the dry spell being experienced in most areas could worsen the situation.

The country experienced an armyworm outbreak in the 2016/ 2017 summer cropping season, which left some farmers counting their losses.

An A2 farmer Mr Richard Jenami of Matovanyika Farm in Mhangura lost about five hectares of his maize crop.

“I have faced armyworm attack in one of my maize fields and about five hectares have been destroyed so far,” he said.

“I have managed to control the worm by using Decis Forte mixed with DDVP and chloripiritos.”

Mr Jenami urged farmers to seek agronomists or Agritex officers’ assistance as soon as they noticed signs of worm attacks. Some farmers in the Doma area of Mhangura said they were failing to deal with the worm owing to the high cost of pesticides.

“Towards the cropping season, almost every agriculture input was hiked, including insecticides,” said Mr Ephrain Katizamhuru.

“We are likely to record reduced yields this season if something is not done on prices.”

Mr Katizamhuru implored Government to intervene and address the issue of pricing in the agricultural sector.

“We are asking Government to intervene so that it brings normalcy into the pricing madness in the agricultural inputs sector so that farmers realise something at the end of the day,” said Mr Katizamhuru.