The government of Kenya has launched a nationwide campaign to contain the African armyworm that is destroying maize crops, while spreading rapidly countrywide.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives through Acting PS for Crops Development and Agricultural Research Dr. Francis Owino performed the launch ceremony and said the government in conjunction with other development partners has put in place adequate measures to address the menace.
“We are having a challenge of the African armyworm. As a government we have established that 33 counties are affected. In these counties approximately 500,000 hectares of crops have been destroyed. We have reached out to our development partners including the World Bank and FAO to support us in controlling the spread of the worms and they have given a positive response. That is why we are launching this campaign targeting all the affected counties,” he said.
Dr. Owino disclosed that they have planned an elaborate capacity building programme and training of all those who will participate in the spraying process. He said the African armyworm is a migratory pest hence individual farmers cannot control them single handedly.
Affected areas
The pests move from one farm to another. They are not cognizant of boundaries. Therefore, the responsibility to deal with the pests belongs to the national and county governments and we are doing all we can to coordinate the exercise, added the PS.
“The role of the farmer is to report promptly to agricultural officers or administrators both at national or county level, whenever they notice unfamiliar pests in their farms,” he said.
The PS said the ministry in collaboration with the county governments will continue monitoring to ensure success of the control operations in order to guard farmers from further losses.
Approximately over 15000 hectares have been affected. Busia County is among the most affected counties. All the seven sub counties of Teso North, Teso South, Nambale, Butula, Samia, Matayos and Bunyala have been affected.
The county government has tried to control the pest but today we are appealing to both the national government and other partners to come and assist the affected farmers with seeds and fertilizer so that they can replant,” appealed Osia.
