About 1,394 hectares of crop fields in Isoka District, Muchinga Province, Zambia, have been affected by fall armyworm infestations, impacting 2,836 farmers.
Isoka District Crop Husbandry Officer Kelvin Sikanyika said the damaged area accounted for 26 percent of crops as of last week. He noted that despite the outbreak, the district was still projected to achieve a bumper harvest due to favourable rainfall patterns.
“So far, 1,394 hectares of crops have been attacked, representing 26 percent as of last week, but the government is working tirelessly to combat the outbreak,” he said.
Mr Sikanyika added that the Ministry of Agriculture had supplied the district with 130 boxes of chemicals to help affected farmers manage the infestation. He said 83 boxes had already been distributed to camp extension officers, while 47 boxes remained available for farmers who had yet to report cases.
“Farmers whose fields have been affected are encouraged to report immediately to their camp extension officers so they can access the remaining chemicals,” he opined.
Meanwhile, farmers in the district have commended the government for its timely response to the outbreak. One of the farmers, Maureen Chisanga, said the prompt distribution of chemicals had provided relief to many whose crops were under threat.
“The fall armyworms had threatened my maize field and other crops, and we feared low yields, but the intervention from the government has given us hope of saving our crops and ensuring food security for our families,” she said.
