Strategies to fight fall armyworm

Research by the United Nations shows that pest management and technology can effectively combat fall armyworm, one of the world's most destructive agricultural pests, writes Jeff Kapembwa.

- Jeff Kapembwa

It is estimated that Africa loses US$10 billion (about R185 billion) annually in maize and overall crop yield losses caused by fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda). The pest is known to feed on up to 80 different crops within a short time if uncontrolled ecologically through best cultural and biological practices.

Research by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has shown that proven integrated pest management technologies are the best remedy to deal with fall armyworm (FAW) and other crop toxicities ravaging Africa. The FAO added that these remedies need to be applied to achieve sustainable food security on the continent.

In a report, FAO director general Qu Dongyu noted that more than 70 countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and the Near East were reporting infestations of FAW, which were devastating various crops.

“FAW’s effect is devastating to all crops. It knows no boundaries as it accelerates its march across the planet,” Qu said.

HIGH COST OF PESTICIDES

Despite producing millions of tons of various crops, maize included, Zambia has since 2016 fallen prey to FAW. According to a government report, it has spent US$5 million (R92 million) to date on pesticides and equipment to mitigate the pest.

In the 2022/23 season, FAW devastated about 8 021ha of cropped land in the country.

The onset of the cassava brown streak disease that affected many lands in north-eastern, western and parts of north-western Zambia, added to the country’s food losses.

Zambia’s Agriculture Minister Reuben Mtolo Phiri said that the problem had been heightened by flash floods, while dry spells had compounded crop damage, resulting in a loss of 319 611ha.