Kiruhura farmers fear for their animals over invasion of African armyworms
MBARARA – African armyworms that have terribly affected districts of Bukedea, Luwero and Namutumba have so far crossed to western Uganda in Kiruhura district where the insects have eaten all the animal pasture in the district.
According to Mukago Rutetebya, the L C V Chairperson Kiruhura district, African armyworms eat all the green surface crops including maize, beans, banana leaves and animal pasture.
“I want to inform people that even here in Kiruhura we have also received African armyworms, they feed on pasture, crop gardens and anything that resembles green. The Chairperson LC 111 called me and informed me about it. I convened a meeting at the district before calling MAAIF officials who pledged to send us pesticides” Rutetebya explained
The fact that they feed on grass Rutetebya says, animals have started dying because of competing for pasture with the African armyworms that are spreading in the district.
“They eat grass and our animals no longer have enough feeds and some of the cattle have started becoming weak” he said
Rutetebya says, African army worms last invaded the district in early 90s though their effects were not harsh like it is today when the district is still battling with drought for the last 6 months.
“We were last attacked by African armyworms commonly known as [enkunguru] in 1999 when some of us were still young in school and we could not realize their magnitude” says Rutetebya
He says as a district, they have already notified the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry Fisheries [MAAIF] which promised to send in pesticides.
Anthony Tayebwa, District Agricultural Officer [DAO] Kiruhura confirmed that African armyworms were reported on Friday 08th April 2022 in two sub counties of Kikasi, Rwenshande before spreading to a number of farms in the district.
“The whole district is affected but they were first reported in Kikasi sub county which has been hit most by the drought. Other sub counties include Rwenshande that was curved from Kikasi and also in Akayanja sub county. So far, those are the sub counties that are affected but we have advised our farmers to report whenever they find them so that we can spray when it is still early” Anthony said.
He says, the only emergency method of fighting African armyworms is by spraying using Dud Acelamectin 5 percent at the rate of 100-120ML in a 20 litre jerrican of water thus urging farmers to start as they wait for government’s pesticides.
“Spraying works effectively and it kills the pests instantly because we have applied it in Rwenshande and it worked. We are encouraging farmers don’t wait for the government chemicals which may not even be enough because these insects have hit almost over 40 districts in Uganda,” Anthony advised
However, Rutetebya is worried about African armyworms which have already spread all over the district to be managed by farmers.
Effects of African armyworm
Kiiza Daniel a livestock farmer from Bunonko village Kiruhura grazing on a 150-acre land says, he doesn’t have any pasture to feed his 300 heads of cattle because of African armyworms.
“I woke up one morning normally to find the farm filled with a lot of insects eating the grass. As I speak now, I no longer have pastures to feed on my animals. I had to sell all the cows and I have now remained with 15 calves. Government needs to support us quickly such that we can get spray these insects,” Daniel said
He also observed that animals feeding from farms which are already attacked by the army worms suffer from flue and also become weak.
“We have seen our animals feeding on grass where these insects are, goats and cows become weak and develop flu and we are worried could result in death. Some of the cows are no longer milked,” Daniel said.
Ruteitera adds that he has started getting pasture from other people’s farms to feed his animals.
“I am now getting animal feeds from other people’s farms which haven’t been affected yet. All the cattle spend the night standing, calves don’t have what to feed on and I am worried if all our farms are affected, we will be left with no alternative but to sell all our animals” Ruteitera said.
He also says, that it will be hard for the farms to use sprays to kill the African armyworms from their farms.
“My farm is about 150 acres and using a spray bomb I cannot even cover 10acres of the farm so how do you think we shall manage these insects” Ruteitera said
Kiruhura being a cattle corridor district, Rutetebya says losing pasture to African armyworm will cause abject poverty to its population.
“In Kiruhura losing pasture means a loss to livestock farming which is our vital economic activity. We are also likely to register a shortfall in milk production because if these animals don’t feed, it means they will not be milked and even the quality of our milk will go down compared to the standard milk we produce in the district. Yet, this should be our harvesting moment because the price of milk is now high,” LC V Chairman emphasized
The Agricultural Officer also says, the insects will threaten the food security in the district if not given quick attention.
“We are likely to be hit by famine because they eat maize, sorghum and millet which will result into food insecurity. We are likely to see farmers here buying more food from other markets if we fail to control these pests before they destroy our crops “Anthony said
He also advised farmers not to risk feeding animals on the pasture sprayed with pesticides.
“It is not good to spray and graze the animals on the sprayed grass because they are chemicals which can as well cause poisoning to the livestock. We recommend the farmers that they should spare the sprayed farms for about 5-10 days without grazing from that area to allow toxic chemicals get away from the grazing area”
According to Fred Kyakulaga Bwino, the State Minister for Agriculture, has so far spent around Shs600m to distribute more than 23,000 litres of pesticides, 100 motorized pumps and 200 sets of protective gear to affected districts to shield the country from the danger of food insecurity.
He says the destructive African armyworms have now affected at least 13,000 acres of crops in 41 districts across the country, the Agriculture ministry revealed yesterday.
https://thecooperator.news/teso-farmers-panic-as-fall-armyworms-ravage-crops-gardens/
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