Agriculture department says two pesticides will be used to battle armyworm
The pest has been identified in Limpopo and northern Gauteng, and could ruin SA’s entire maize harvest if it is not contained
The Department of Agriculture‚ Forestry and Fisheries has identified two pesticides it believes will be effective in delivering the country’s maize fields from a fall armyworm plague. The voracious larval pest has been identified throughout Limpopo and in northern Gauteng, and could ruin the entire country’s maize harvest if not contained. The migratory worms‚ native to South and Central America‚ also attack sorghum‚ soya beans‚ groundnuts and potatoes. "The department realises that transboundary pests and diseases‚ especially migratory pests‚ threaten food security and that co-ordinated efforts are important to address these risks‚" Minister Senzeni Zokwana told journalists at a media briefing in Pretoria on Monday. The fall armyworm is new to SA‚ meaning no pesticide has been registered for use‚ and proven successful‚ in fighting it. A continuing emergency process has now registered two pesticides that are likely to work if used correctly. "As with all agricultural remedy applicat...
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