By Bisola Adeyemo
Farmers in Malawi have cried out for help against armyworms’ outbreak that damages their crops, a development described as worrisome by the farmers.
About 35,000 families from six Extension Planning Areas (EPAs) in Thyolo district have been affected by armyworms.
Armyworms are pests that cause serious leaf feeding damage to plants as well as direct injury to the ear. While fall armyworms can damage corn plants in nearly all stages of development, it will concentrate on later plantings that have not yet silked.
One of the farmers from Dwale EPA, John Chiyembekezo lamented that since the outbreak of armyworms, his maize field has been extremely affected.
He said,” If this disaster continues we would end up harvesting less than our expectations and this would lead to hunger. We are trying to use what our agriculture officers are advising us to do so that we overcome the disaster.
“We are using local interventions such as applying sand and ashes in our fields to minimize the outbreak.
He, therefore, called on non-governmental organizations to work with the agriculture office to help fight against the armyworms.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) Thyolo District Chief Agriculture Officer, Miriam Ndhlovu said 9,756 hectares from all six EPAs of Dwale, Khonjeni, Masambanjati, Thekelani, Thyolo central and Matapwata have been affected.
“We are teaching the farmers to use neem, tephrosia and vogelli. Those who are affected but cannot afford to buy pesticides from shops can use available resources to deal with armyworms like ash and sand because these also help,” she said.
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