By MUNAMBEZA MUWANEI –
Army worms have been detected in three districts of Southern Province – Mazabuka, Monze and Pemba.
Southern Province Minister Edify Hamukale advised farmers to use their e-vouchers to procure the chemicals needed to deal with the pests and to immediately report any infestations to the agricultural extension officers to help stop them spreading across the province.
He said this in Choma yesterday during a field tour of a farm in Choma’s Mochipapa area.
“We have reports of army worms in Mazabuka, Monze and Pemba districts, and my word of encouragement to farmers is that once they notice any infestation, let them report to the Ministry of Agriculture;  they will be advised on what chemicals to use,” he said.
He said farmers should also try to practice crop rotation as means to prevent frequent outbreaks of pests like the armyworm.
Choma District Agriculture Coordinator Robert Tembo said his office had continued with the sensitisation messages to the farmers on various pests that attack the maize.
Mr Tembo said farmers were free to swipe for chemicals using their e-vouchers at any of them more than 100 agro dealers stocking the drugs needed to get rid of pests.
“Our extension officers are always sensitising the farmers on outbreaks, so farmers can always reach out to them for more information,” he said.
Mr Munalula Mwiya a farmer of Choma said they planted the maize last month and have not detected in pests in the field.
“We planted immediately after the first rains and have not recorded any army worms so far, as you can see,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Minister also toured some agro shops in Choma to check on the available stocks and input varieties.
A number of those he visited expressed their gratitude but but complained about the delayed activation of the e-voucher cards.
Some of the shops he visited Arupee, Harshad Bazaar, Eliezer, Wapona, and J.K Hardware and Joka Contractors.
Mr Hamukale assured the dealers that the activation would soon start and farmers would start accessing the inputs.