214 surveillance traps for African Armyworm set up

Judith Phiri, Business Reporter

IN response to the African Armyworm outbreak in the country, the Government has set up 214 surveillance traps for the pest menace and sixty trucks, one for each district, have been purchased in order to timely respond to the current outbreak.

Cabinet on Tuesday received and noted the Report on Food Security Outlook for the 2024/2025 Summer Season, which was presented by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka.

In a post-Cabinet briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said the African Armyworm outbreak is the worst in 20 years.

“The Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has set up 214 surveillance traps for African Armyworm whose outbreak is the worst in 20 years across the country. All districts now have chemicals for “standby reaction” to this pest.

“60 trucks, one for each district, have been purchased in order to timely respond to this pest menace and to be better prepared going forward. Additionally, 639 809 knapsack sprayers have also been distributed to some beneficiaries of the Presidential Input Scheme,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Muswere said the current grain stock at the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) was enough to meet the needs of rural communities until the next harvest, expected from April 2025.

The Minister said grain stocks are currently 129 149 metric tonnes.

“Government continues to monitor volumes of imports, stocks at millers, import prices and import sources in order to eliminate arbitrage opportunities.”