By Staff Writer
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) in Eastern Province has expressed concern at the increasing number of fields infested by pests which include fall-army worms ravaging crops.
MDC Eastern Province Provincial Chair Jacob Mwanza said they have toured several farming fields for maize and soya beans where the crops have extensively been damaged by pests.
Mr Mwanza said the situation needs quick intervention from the Ministry of Agriculture and Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit or risk record the lowest crop yields in Eastern Province.
He has urged alliance partners in government to quickly send officers on the ground to assess the extent of the damage to crops especially soya beans and supply adequate pesticides in a timely manner.
“It is our desires to see farmers in the province thrive in the business of farming and to also recoup their investment through profits at the period of harvesting,” he said.
He said MDC has also cautioned of flash floods by the Meteorological Department in Chipata district and other parts of Eastern Province which will require early mitigation measures should the situation get out of hand for farmers.
