LUSAKA Province Agriculture Coordinator Pascal Chipasha says Fall armyworms have ravaged over 6,000 hectares of maize fields in Lusaka province.
In an interview with ZANIS, Mr Chipasha however stated that the infestation rate of the armyworms is at 25 percent and fortunate enough the maize crop affected is at vegetative stage.
“Lusaka Province has six districts namely, Chilanga, Chongwe, Kafue, Luangwa, Lusaka and Rufunsa. The Districts are divided into 26 Blocks and further divided into 119 Agricultural Camps.
“All the 119 Agricultural Camps are affected by Fall armyworms involving 11,761 farmers or households with 6,254 hectares of Maize Fields affected,” he said.
Mr Chipasha further disclosed that various interventions such as mass trainings of extension officers and farmers on pest control and management in all the districts are in place.
He added that management methods that include biological, mechanical, cultural and chemical control among others are other interventions his office has put in place to fight the fall armyworms.
“Through our Ministry, we are also giving pheromone traps and chemicals to the farmers as a measure to control the pests,” he added.
