Zambia announces outbreak of fall armyworms

 

An outbreak of fall armyworms has broken out in Zambia and now threatens the country’s agricultural produce.

Reuben Phiri, the Minister of Agriculture, said the fall armyworms have so far been reported in Mkushi district in the central part of the country but added that the outbreak was likely to spread to all parts of the country because of the prevailing climatic conditions.

He told reporters during a press briefing that so far about 331 hectares of land have been affected by the fall armyworms in the district.

The minister, however, said the ministry has strengthened surveillance and other control measures to contain the outbreak of the migratory pests, adding that the ministry was actively monitoring the situation.

Zambia has experienced outbreaks of fall armyworms in seven of the last 10 agricultural seasons.