The Ministry of Agriculture in Zambia has received over 5,000 litres of chemicals to assist in the control of fall army worms in the Copperbelt province. This initiative aims to protect maize crops over an area of more than 40,000 hectares in the region.
According to Copperbelt Provincial Agricultural Officer Julius Malipa, half of the districts in the province have already collected the chemicals, and they are now ready for distribution to farmers. Mr. Malipa has called on agricultural extension officers to ensure transparency in the distribution process, stressing the importance of ensuring that all farmers, particularly those in cooperatives, benefit from the initiative.
Mufulira District Crops Officer Belinda Sichamba has highlighted the importance of the chemicals in preventing damage from the fall army worms, urging farmers to apply them early to secure their crops. She also warned against the sale of the chemicals, encouraging farmers to use them responsibly to safeguard their household food security.
With the fall army worm posing a significant threat to food production in the province, the distribution of these chemicals is seen as a vital step in protecting crops and ensuring stable harvests for local farmers.
