The government has set aside
Sh325 million to buy pesticides to fight the fall armyworm that has ravaged crops across the country.
On Wednesday, the national government distributed more than 2,000
litres
of pesticides to control the spread of fall armyworm in Trans Nzoia county.
An officer with the State Department
of Agriculture Stanley Kipkoech said the move will support the county’s efforts in managing the pest.
He spoke while handing over chemicals to the county government.
Kipkoech said more than 210,000 hectares (518,921 acres) countrywide have been infested by the pest, but efforts by the national and county governments have helped restore the affected crops.
He said only 37,000 hectares (91,428 acres) have been infested by the pests in Trans Nzoia, but the problem is now under control.
Kipkoech said reports from Bungoma and Kakamega counties over the management of the
pest
show that it has been put under control and the affected crops have been recovered.
“The government is working with other stakeholders like Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service, and other research institutions that provide a solution
to the pest,” he said.
Kipkoech also noted they have distributed the pesticide in Nakuru and Muranga counties.
While receiving the assorted chemical, county secretary Pius Munialo said the
pest, which was first noted in March this year has now been put under control.
He said the county government has been able to spray more than 107,000 acres across the county from the Sh.45 million set aside to control the pest.
Munialo said efforts by the county government have been boosted and will go a long way in protecting the crops in the county.
“We now expect a normal harvest,” he said.
Munialo pointed out that if they had not mitigated the problem, the county was going to lose more than 1.8 million bags of maize in the
country.
The county produces more than six million bags of maize annually.