Fall armyworm outbreak worries farmers

FARMERS in Manicaland took advantage of the rains received over the holidays to work in their fields, but are worried about being affected by the fall armyworm which has already been detected in some parts of the province.

There was an outbreak of the fall armyworm in Chipinge last week and farmers in other districts are worried that their crops will be affected as well.

Mr Chakanyuka Musiwacho, a farmer in Marange, said his crop was doing well, but expressed concern at reports of the fall armyworm in the province.

“We have done much this past week, but we hope our crop will not be affected by the fall armyworm.

“Some farmers in our area were affected last year and we just worry that our crop will be affected again and we will not be able to cope,” he said.

In an interview with The Herald yesterday, Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union regional manager Mr Daniel Mungazi said it was unfortunate that farmers were not prepared for the outbreak.

“We have discovered that farmers are not prepared for an outbreak of the fall armyworm.

“Some are not even aware of the chemicals that can be used and those that do buy chemicals lack knowledge on the appropriate times to apply them.

“You find that in case of an outbreak, they usually suffer loses,” he said.

Mr Mungazi said farmers had been receiving advice on how to treat the fall armyworm and that he was hopeful that they would use it accordingly.

“As ZFU, we have been encouraging farmers to work closely with extension officers and take all the advise they receive serously, “he said.

Manicaland was one of the most affected areas by the fall armyworm last year.