Scientists have cautioned farmers that the deadly fall army worm may continue to attack, despite the heavy rains.
Researchers from the Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organisation had early this year assured farmers the rains could suppress or reduce the army worm infestation.
The pest has been reported to have attacked the short rains maize crop in South Rift, Nyanza, Mt Kenya and Western counties.
Lilian Kirimi, a senior research fellow at Tegemeo Institute, said the destructive pest will lead to almost 100 per cent damage to the crop in the counties that enjoy two seasons of maize in a year.
In a report, The Impact of Fall Armyworm Infestation on the 2017 Maize Crop, Kirimi said damage of the short season crop will adversely affect food security, triggering high prices next year.
“The national and county governments and players in the value chain need to intensify surveillance to protect farmers from losses,” said Kirimi.
She called for constant surveillance and concerted multidisciplinary effort to aid early identification and control of field and storage pests.
Kevin Onyango, a research associate from the institute, said the country produces an average of 40 million 90kg bags per year against a national demand estimated at 45–50 million bags annually. The deficit of 5-10 million bags is bridged through imports.
Onyango said due to drought and fall army worm infestation, there will be a reduction in maize production.
This year’s expected total harvest is at 31.7 million bags of maize, being 29.1 million
and 2.6 million bags from the long and short rains harvests respectively. But the ministry gave the total maize production figure of 37.9 million bags.
The fall army worm was reported early this year in Busia, Kakamega, Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Kericho, Bomet, Narok, Nakuru and Baringo. Experts say the dry spell in May and June provided a conducive environment for the worm to feed, multiply and spread rapidly.