The cost of controlling the crop-eating caterpillars using pesticides will increase to Sh2,000 for a 90-kilogramme bag of maize for large-scale farmers from Sh1,700.
Maize production is forecast to drop by 4.3 million bags this year on delayed rains and armyworm attacks, setting the stage for expensive maize flour next year.
Crop-eating armyworms will raise the cost of producing a bag of maize by Sh300, putting pressure on flour prices.
Egerton University think tank, Tegemeo Institute says the cost of controlling the crop-eating caterpillars using pesticides will increase to Sh2,000 for a 90-kilogramme bag of maize for large-scale farmers from Sh1,700.
More than 15 counties, including Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Kwale, Taita Taveta, Nakuru, Busia and Bungoma, have been invaded by the pests.
These are agricultural rich counties and a widespread attack could aggravate the ongoing food crisis that has seen prices skyrocket.
“This year the cost of production is expected to go up following the invasion of the armyworms that has seen farmers incur an extra cost to put these pests at bay,” said James Githuku, a researcher at Tegemeo.
Chemicals can be used to deal with the pest in its early stages, but after that it becomes much harder. Some populations of fall armyworm have developed resistance, according to experts.
Other approaches involve digging trenches, use of natural predators like birds to eat the worms or even burning the crops, according to Food and Agriculture Organisation.
Maize production is forecast to drop by 4.3 million bags this year on delayed rains and armyworm attacks, setting the stage for expensive maize flour next year.
Ministry of Agriculture projects harvests of 32.8 million bags, down from to 37.1 last year — representing a decline of 11.5 per cent.
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