The drought and the army worm are a double tragedy to our food security that’s also taking a knock from skyrocketing prices of basic commodities like Unga and sugar. The pest causes massive losses in maize and attacks other cereal crops like sorghum, rice, millet, wheat and barley. Some of these crops like kales, bananas, tomatoes and cabbages are key food security vegetables. The Ministry has consequently recommended a list of nine insecticides for the management of the fall army worms. Fall army worm was first reported in September 2016 in West Africa and as spread as far as South Africa where reports indicated it has destroyed more than 100,000 hectares of maize in three African countries.

Source: Standard Digital April 20, 2017 12:22 UTC