By Terence Tikiti

FARMERS in Ward1 Masholomoshe communal lands in Gwanda District have been dealt a devastating blow by armyworms. The attack, it is feared will lead to a negative impact, great loss and damage to the farmers.

The District Agritex officer, Zimhlophe Ndlovu, confirmed the invasion, saying armyworms can have devastating effects on crops and pastures, leading to crops damage, food insecurity, livestock and environmental impacts. Early detection and swift action are crucial in managing armyworm infestations and minimising their impact on crops and pastures for livestock.

Farmers from Masholomoshe, whose crops were affected, told Ilanga that the armyworms described the invasion as “disastrous” and expressed fears of great losses due to damage to their crops.

Rabson Sibanda whose farm land is about five hectares with various crops, said that his maize and sorghum crop was attacked by the armyworms.

“The armyworms affected my crops although l am trying to control it through spraying using various chemicals. We are working hand-in-hand with the Agritex officers who are giving us useful information and knowledge on how best we can fight these menacing pests. We are getting constant supplies of various chemicals from the Government to fight these pests,” Sibanda said.

Getrude Dube, also a farmer from Masholomoshe testified the attack in her farm. “I was affected by army worms in the maize field to an extent of re-planting for the second time after the damage. They also attacked my “Umnyii” fruit trees. These insects are just too much and a menace, causing a great loss, leading us to work behind time and inputs wasted,” she said.

The District Agritex officer, Zimhlophe Ndlovu, confirmed the damage to crops by armyworms in all the wards in the district, including Masholomoshe. She said they were working hand-in-hand with the farmers in fighting against the pests through their respective ward Agritex officers.

“We have noted with concern reports from the farmers in almost all the wards including Masholomoshe, the damage and great loss by the army worms since the beginning of rainy season. Some of the farmers have about four to five hectares with crops like maize, sorghum among other crops, of which are the most attacked crops.

“However, the Government is not just seated and watching. We are working tirelessly with the farmers in all wards through our Agritex officers in fighting against these menacing pests. We have ordered the ward Agritex officers to go and collect various chemicals from the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) Gwanda and distribute to the farmers. We also give them educational information on the natural controlling of fall army worms like killing them physically, and also allowing domestic birds like chicken, turkeys and wild birds into the crop fields as they can eat all those pests.

“These African fall army worms may spread so fast because the butterflies can fly swiftly overnight and travel a very long distance, leaving the eggs all over. Within a few days, the eggs will hatch and become armyworms. They eat almost all crops; we just noticed in Ward 15 where they ate but left only cow-peas. So we are encouraging and urging our farmers to listen carefully and take instructions from their respective ward Agritex officers in a bid to fight these pests. Frequent change or use of various types of chemicals is also encouraged to avoid resistance,” said Ndlovu.

“As a district, we are also making follow-ups and assessments in all the wards to see how farmers are managing in controlling these pests. Last week we visited Selonga area and we sprayed various fields there, we also supplied various chemicals to 1300 farmers in that ward. Every farmer in all wards is entitled to get these chemicals and they are still in the stock at GMB,” she said.