Ministry for innovation to combat fall armyworms
Chief director in the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Yanira Ntupanyama, says government is pushing for the application of innovative technology to deal with fall armyworms.
She made the remarks on Tuesday in Nkhotakota during a field day Salima Agricultural Development Division (ADD) conducted.
Ntupanyama said combined efforts with development partners and other stakeholders will result in eradicating the armyworms in the next farming season.
address the problem
She observed that the ministry is acting aggressively to ensure success towards getting rid of the armyworms.
Ntupanyama said: “We are working tirelessly towards addressing this problem. We have introduced the use of chemicals to counter the spread of the pest.
“We also encourage farmers to plant early while we are doing research on how to deal with the armyworms.”
In her remarks, Salima ADD programme manager Elida Kazira said they were trying to look at the best way possible to control the armyworms.
“We cannot solve the problem unless we do things differently. Our scientists should think outside the box and introduce advanced technologies for the pests,” she said.
Isabel Kamanga, a farmer, said there is need for a quick intervention on the pests so that farmers do not lose out.
