By CHILA NAMAIKO –

SOUTHERN Province Agricultural Coordinator (PACO) Max Choombe has said all districts in the province are equipped with sufficient chemicals to contain any army worms invasion on maize fields.

Dr Choombe has since appealed to farmers to be on alert and report strange insects in their fields during this farming season.

During the 2012/2013 farming season, army worms were detected in Chibombo and Chongwe districts, but spread to Southern Province where they caused havoc.

The worms migrate in multitudes and consume plants along the way.

They are most active at night and hide under garden debris during the day.

Dr Choombe said in an interview yesterday that Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock had supplied adequate chemicals and sprayers to various districts to prepare for the anticipated outbreak of army worms.

“We have equipped most of our districts with sufficient chemicals, sprayers and other facilities in readiness for any outbreak of army worms and we are ready to contain any cases, “he said.

In Gwembe district, he said, there was a recent report of army worms and the ministry immediately dispatched officers to assess the situation.

He said the officers managed to contain the purported army worms and that the maize fields in the district were now safe.

Dr Choombe said the provincial agricultural office in partnership with district agricultural offices would continue to collaborate and eradicate any army worms.

He said both offices would enhance sensitisation mechanisms to farmers across the province.

He, however, urged the farmers to be on alert and report any suspicious insects in their fields.

In the previous farming season, many districts recorded low maize yields resulting in some areas experiencing hunger.

This was due to the devastation caused by army worms coupled with poor rainfall patterns.