Posted on March, 12, 2019 at 10:26 am
SWIFT multiplication of Fall armyworms in different villages have forced some Rukwa farmers to incur extra cost of applying OMO hand washing powder to stop the devastating pests but unsuccessful.’
Some farmers say half of their farms have been destroyed and currently they have decided to apply OMO after all means of using pesticides have completely proved failure.
In separate interviews with the Guardian in different villages, they said that OMO tend to temporary paralyse the pests but not a cure because after short time, the pests resume feeding on the maize in full swing wrecking havoc on the main food and cash crop for Rukwa residents.
Since the beginning of the 2018/19 agricultural season, very few farmers have been spared by the devastating pests. They said it is the third year now, they are trying to stop the pests but fruitless.
A survey of the Guardian in Kalambo district forexample, the farmers said the FAW have caused severe damage leading to total crop loss in some of the farms. The farmers have so far lost hope with the crop, described the FAW as a blow to the district and the region’s food security.
Close observation of the FAW in the farms, once they attack the maize, they feed on foliage and leaves. Some of them live and eat the central delicate part of the maize plant and cover themselves with droppings.
Some of the farmers have changed crops because they are afraid of the multiplication of the pests saying the story might repeat. Citing an example, they said that last year forexample, those who expected to harvest 800 bags of maize they ended up getting 400 bags of maize, and those who expected to harvest 150 bags of maize also ended up getting 50 bags of maize.
Jacob Saveri, a farmer from Santa village, Yowa ward said that last year he cultivated 12 acres but ended up harvesting 50 bags of maize.
“The situation was bad, many people gave up! They used DIP, Karate, and many other pesticides but did not help,” he said
They said that this year, the FAW have attacked again their farms, they are currently struggling to apply different pesticides but do not work effectively and efficiently.
A farmer Linus Sumuni (48) from Singiwe village, Yowa ward in the district said that the last year’s agricultural season, he cultivated five acres of maize but he ended up getting only 50 bags of maize, the rest were destroyed by the FAW.
Alexander Simon from Matai, Kalambo district said that it is three consecutive years, the FAW feeding on their maize without any solution. Citing an example, he said that in the 2018/19 agricultural season, he cultivated 15 acres out of which 6 acres have been completely destroyed.
“We have used every pesticide but did not help us. We are asking the government to do every possible means to help rescue our crops,” he said.
Contacted for comments, Kalambo District Agricultural Officer Nicholas Mrango said admitted that the farmers have been grappling with the pests for the third year now. He said the district embarked on education management campaigns of the pests that involves on how to identify the pests, and how to fight them.
“We have provided education. How he pests behaves in the morning, afternoon and evening and how to control them. We believe if the farmers know how to identify the pests, it is easier to find solution.
Commenting on production of maize, he said that in 2017 producton of maize recorded 152, 000 tonnes maize but in 2018, the district produced 149, 000 tonnes of maize.
Rukwa regional commissioner Joachim Wangabo said early this year that the FAW affected maize production in the region as food surplus in the region declined from 453,049 tonnes to 201,185 in the 2017/18 agricultural season.
The regional commissioner directed Rukwa people from the village level, and ward level to make sure that they keep enough food to meet the household food requirement for the whole year.
Source: IPP Media