INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT KEY TO ADDRESSING ARMY WORM INFESTATION – MET. DEPT.

FARMERS should use Integrated Pest Management to manage fall army worm in areas where the crop is showing signs of infestation, Zambia Meteorological Department Senior Metrologist Peggy Thole has advised.

Speaking to The Scoop, Ms. Thole said in areas experiencing less rainfall, farmers were encouraged to employ moisture retention technologies of conservation agriculture such as application of mulch and organic matter on soil surfaces.

She said widespread and heavy rainfall was still being recorded and farmers should be cautious when applying top dressing fertilizer and herbicides especially in areas with high rainfall to avoid it being washed away.

“In most parts of the country, the soil moisture sufficiency is between 90 to 100 percent and farmers are encouraged to take advantage of the sufficient moisture by planting legumes, cassava and sweet potatoes,” she said.

She said farmers should ensure they maintain weed-free fields to reduce competition for soil nutrients and moisture.

“Use basal dressing fertilizers at planting to utilize soil moisture which will encourage strong root and crop growth. We continue to urge the farmers to intensively scout for pests as they cause a lot of damage during drier weather conditions,” she said.

She also called on the farmers to regularly and intensively scout for pests and diseases during drier conditions and report any unusual insects or crop diseases to the nearest agricultural office.

She also advised all farmers to employ the use of integrated pest management for fall army worm infestations.

“All farmers are encouraged to contact their local District Agricultural Coordinators (DACOs’) offices or Ministry of Agriculture field officers to ensure that any suspected pests and diseases are inspected and sprayed,” she said.

She further said that it was important for farmers to access weather information and early warning systems to plan ahead and respond to changing conditions.

“When farmers have access to weather information, they will know when to apply their fertilizer or when to spray their fields. We hereby advise the farmers to always have access to weather information,” she said.