Farmers in Machinga face a bleak future as their crop fields have been severely infested with African armyworms, a pest notorious for its devastating impact on crops.
The worms, which feed on the green pigment of plants have already affected over 1,000 hectares of land in areas such as Chikweo and Nanyumbu EPA, resulting in total crop loss.
According to Machinga District Council spokesperson, Martin Chiwanda, the presence of these pests is alarming and devastating to both crops and weeds.
In response to the crisis, Chiwanda said the council has taken swift action to combat the infestation.
“We have provided farmers with Denzo, a pesticide that effectively kills the worms. We have distributed over 101 bottles of Denzo in Chikweo and at least 100 bottles in Nanyumbu EPA,” he said.
Chiwanda emphasized the importance of farmers working together in groups to ensure the effective use of the pesticide, saying: “We encourage farmers to work in groups, spraying the pesticides simultaneously to cover the entire affected area.
“This approach will not only enhance the effectiveness of the pesticide but also foster a sense of community and cooperation among farmers.”
Chiwanda, however, acknowledged the challenges posed by the limited availability of sprayers, assuring farmers that the district council is committed to providing support and resources to combat the infestation.
“We are working tirelessly to ensure that the African armyworms are completely defeated. We urge farmers to remain vigilant and report any further infestations to the authorities,” he said.
Meanwhile, there are fears that the African armyworm infestation poses a significant threat to food security in Machinga. However, with the swift response from the district council and the resilience of the farming community, there is hope for a positive outcome.