Scientists stress interventions to contain Africa's armyworm invasion

Robust partnerships coupled with adoption of novel technologies and innovations alongside intensive public awareness campaigns are key to containing fall armyworms currently ravaging staple crops in several African countries, scientists have said.

The scientists and experts from global and continental research institutions who met in Nairobi this week agreed that new approaches are required to halt spread of armyworms that have undermined the capacity of African countries to feed their citizens and grow economies.

"The truly frightening risk of the fall armyworm to food security in Africa must be recognized and tackled with a holistic integrated pest management program," said Director of Global Maize Program at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) B. M. Prasanna on Friday.

He noted that it will be a herculean task to eradicate army worm ravaging maize in smallholder farms across sub-Saharan Africa but was upbeat the ongoing research interventions could offer some respite.

He proposed medium to long-term measures that include deployment of low-cost pesticides and drought-tolerant crops to contain the spread of fall armyworms in Africa.

The fall armyworm that was first reported in Southern and Western African countries is currently also ravaging staple crops in the eastern part of the continent.

Scientists contend the virulent pest attacks 80 different plant species including maize which is a staple food for an estimated 200 million people in sub-Saharan Africa.

Conservative estimates indicate that African countries could lose an estimated 3 billion dollars due to destruction of maize crop by the pest.

Fall armyworms can cause 100-percent destruction to a crop and its rapid spread in the eastern African region has been aided by a severe drought.

Scientists were optimistic that a solution to the fall armyworm could be found soon if African governments and multilateral partners prioritize investments in strategic interventions like research, use of ecologically friendly pesticides and adoption of better agronomic practices by smallholder farmers.

"There is an urgency to enable national plant protection groups to work with farmers in controlling the level of damage on their farms," said Vice President of program development and innovation at the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) Joe DeVries.

He urged strategic partnership between international and local research agencies to explore novel methods to eradicate fall armyworms in Africa. Endit