Army worms have infested maize farms in the North Rift |
Uncertainty looms
among maize farmers in the North Rift region following infestation of of
army worms leading to increased cost of production and anticipated low
yield this season.
The army worms have
destroyed hundreds of acres of maize crops in the country's food
basket, with most farmers complaining of incurring huge costs to contain
them.Farmers in 11 counties have confirmed the infestation.
"The infestation of
this pest in Maize plantation in this region signals a tough economic
season for farmers since we had not anticipated it in our farming
budget," said the Trans Nzoia Chairman of the Kenya National farmers
Federation (KENAFF) William Kimosong'.
Mr Kimosong said a
broad spectrum of pesticides recommended by the ministry of Agriculture
are very costly with the cheapest being sold at Sh20, 000 per litre for
an acre of maize plantation.
"This spells doom
for us when coupled with the high cost of farm inputs, the drought in
some parts of the region and the unstable maize market in the country,"
said Mr. Andrew Rotich, a farmer from Cherang'any.
The worms have also infested Bumula, Kabuchai, Kimilili, Webuye East and West and Kanduyi in Bungoma County.
According to the County director of Agriculture Fredrick Wotia the new type of army worms is from North and South America.
He called on farmers to contact agricultural extension officers on the type of pesticide they can use to kill the worms.
Agriculture Cabinet
Secretary Willy Bett has said that the worms pose a great danger to the
country's food security with the Kenya Seed Company also having a
challenge in producing seeds.
"We cannot run away
from the fact that this challenge is almost becoming a national
disaster since some parts of the country known for maize production have
also been hit with drought," said Mr Bett in Trans Nzoia.
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