Trans Nzoia County Recieved 3266 litres of broad-spectrum
The county government of Trans Nzoia has received 3266 litres of broad-spectrum pesticide from the national government to be used in the control of the African Army worms that have infested Maize plantation in the region.
The county’s Agriculture, Livestock & Fisheries executive committee member Mary Nzomo said the migratory insects have been spoted on sprouting Maize plantation in several farms within the five sub counties.
“In a period of three weeks, the insects have been spotted on Maize plantation a Kimaran, Chepsiro, Rafiki, Olkatongo, Siuna, Sirende, Namgoi and Waitaluk among other areas,” said Mrs. Nzomo while receiving the chemicals.
She further said apart from food insecurity fears, the insects have also attacked livestock feeds majorly Bhoma Rhodes at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (karlo) farm in Kitale
” we are urge farmers who have spotted the insects in their farms to liaise with Agriculture officials to have their farms sprayed in time to contain them since the insect is migratory,” said Mr. Nzomo.
The African Army worm is more lethal than the Fall Army worm whose destruction rate was at a rate of between 30% to 40% of crops in a farm. The African Army Worm consumes every vegetation.
The chemicals that were supplied by the plant protection division and the food security directorate within the ministry of Agriculture at the ministry of Agriculture will be sprayed by a team of spray service providers.
“There are low volume chemicals for motorized sprayers that don’t use water for large scale farmers and there is a category that can be mixed with water for knapsack for small scale farmers,” she said.
The CEC has deployed Agricultural extension officers in all the five sub counties to sensitize farmers on the effects of the insects and first steps that should be taken with regard to raising the alarm.
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