The county governments will in turn distribute the pesticides to farmers to fight the invasion by the destructive armyworms
The national government, through the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services (Kephis), will soon supply pesticides to all counties facing an invasion of the destructive fall armyworms.
Elgeyo Marakwet Chief Officer in the Department of Agriculture and Irrigation Timothy Kiptum said the government has already received the information and was taking steps to contain the spread of the harmful pests.
“The plant inspectorate department in the national government is going to offer pesticides as soon as the extent of the damage is established by the ward agricultural officers,” he told journalists at his office in Iten.
As part of prevention and early diagnosis, the CO said that the county agriculture department was in the process of establishing plant clinics that will enable farmers to identify the worms immediately after they start attacking crops to prevent their spread and losses.
While noting that the intervention for the pest infestation is ongoing, Kiptum expressed concern that if the infestation continues, it is likely to affect yield this year.
He urged farmers to report pest infestation through the ward agricultural officers and ward administrators so that the information is relayed to the right authorities.
This comes after farmers in parts of Soy South and Sambirir wards reported the invasion of their crops by the armyworms.
Gideon Kosgei, a farmer from Chepsigot said that he is counting losses after the pests destroyed his crops saying this will affect him economically as he relies on his farm not only to feed his family but also to cater for his other financial needs.
“These fall armyworms have destroyed 20 acres of maize crops and grass in the farm as they destroy up to half an acre each hour,” he said.
Kosgei says that he has already reported the matter to the chief and agricultural officers in the ward and is expecting action from the county government.
The distressed farmer has called upon the county to intervene before the situation worsens as the worms have spread to other crops like watermelon.
Source: MY Gov