Economy

New crop-ruining worm headed for Kenya, Kalro warns

worm

The fall armyworm has subjected farmers to serious losses and we need to join hands to fight this menace. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Scientists are warning of Kenya’s exposure to another grain-destroying pest even as farmers across the country grapple with losses caused by fall army worms.

Scientists from the Kenya Agricultural Livestock and Research Organisation (Kalro) said Wednesday an attack from S Apertura, a worm that is currently ravaging crops in Benin, Cameroon, Gabon and Nigeria, will eventually find its way into the country.

The pest is said to attack drought-resistant crops like broccoli, cassava, potatoes and amaranth and might pose a serious food security challenge to Kenya unless they are controlled.

“These worms attack other types of crops other than maize and they can cause serious harm if they will not be intercepted,” said Zachary Kinyua, a scientist at Kalro.

Fall armyworms last year alone subjected farmers to Sh3.5 billion losses after ravaging 250,000 acres of crop under maize cover.

Stakeholders from different agencies met in Nairobi Wednesday where they discussed ways of eliminating the insects, which were first witnessed in Kenya in 2016.

Agriculture secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri said the government has already released over Sh300 million to fight the worms and that the fund will be increased to Sh1 billion.

Fall armyworm is a migratory pest native to North and South America, and spreads to nearly all the regions of the continent.

“Americans have described it as a marriage without divorce. And whereas we shall have to accept to live with it, the ministry, its research agencies and other partners will continue putting in place measures to manage this pest,” said Mr Kiunjuri.

Council of Governors agriculture committee chairman Okoth Obado said the devolved units are joining hands with the national government to fight the threat posed by the insects.

“The fall armyworm has subjected farmers to serious losses and we need to join hands to fight this menace,” said Mr Obado.

He urged the government to increase supply of pesticides and also offer technical advise to farmers on the effective pesticides they can use to suppress the armyworm, given that some of them have been using detergents, which don’t work.