PADER– Pader district leaders are still pondering how farmers whose farmlands were invaded by the Fall Armyworm [FAW] can be helped, even though the recent heavy rains in the district have caused the moths to disappear from the ravaged gardens.
The recent rains have reportedly curtailed the multiplication of thousands of the months that have ravaged the farms in the district, whose households majorly depend on agriculture.
The insects have been feeding on maize, sorghum, sugarcane, sim-sim, millet, rice, Napier grass, and Rhodes grass.
The most affected farmers are those in the sub-counties of Ogom, Pokor, and Pajule. The livelihood of the farmers in these areas depends mostly on farming.
District Agricultural Officer, Pader Seydo Opoka, when contacted for a comment, said there is some relief as the rains have curtailed the multiplication of the moths.
“The ministry [Ministry of Agriculture] up to now has not responded to our plea but I must note that the rains have really helped since many have died, ’he said.
“As a district, we requested the ministry for the chemicals to be used in the sub-counties where the rains have not helped much, but farmers should put resources together so that they can buy for themselves chemicals,” he added.
However, scientists say planting early at the onset of rains checks peak immigration of adult moths.
Karim Okello, a farmer engaged in soya-bean growing, said that as much as the rains have helped, the ministry should not rely on the natural method alone, since not all the affected sub-counties got rains in time.
“ it’s true the rains have helped but the ministry should next time come early and give a helping hand in time other than relying on the weather,’’ he said.
Imagine the worms invaded our gardens and the rains came in after three weeks, look at that destruction, he said
Okello Tito, LCIII, Chairperson Pajule Sub County, said they are stuck with the worms in some areas and the district should try hard to rescue the situation.
“This season, many farmers are counting losses, the rains came late and the worms have also destroyed,’’ he said
About FAW
FAW, is an insect pest native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. It is new to Africa and was first detected in central and west Africa in early 2016. The pest was first reported in Uganda in June 2016 in Kayunga, Kasese and Bukedea districts and by end of 2017, the pest had spread to all the districts.
FAW is a migratory, highly polyphagous pest capable of feeding on more than 80 plant species with cereals [maize and sorghum] being the most preferred hosts. In Uganda, the pest has been observed feeding on maize, sorghum, sugarcane, rice, Napier grass, and Rhodes grass.
FAW is migratory and adult moths can cover over 500km before oviposition. The pest can persist in an area throughout the year where suitable environmental conditions and hosts exist. Thus, with this conducive environment, FAW if left, can build permanent and significant populations making complete eradication of the pest impossible.
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