In Summary

• Farmers in Bumula constituency on Monday urged the agriculture department to give them pesticides to eliminate the armyworms.

• Farmer Patrick Maende said farmers risk incurring huge losses due to delayed rains and the pest attacks.

Armyworms on a farm in Bumula.
Armyworms on a farm in Bumula.
Image: TONY WAFULA
The effects of armyworms on a farm.
The effects of armyworms on a farm.
Image: TONY WAFULA

Armyworms have invaded maize farms in Bungoma amid delayed rains.

The pests are also attacking trees and grass.

Farmers in Bumula constituency on Monday urged the agriculture department to give them pesticides to eliminate the armyworms.

Farmer Patrick Maende said farmers risk incurring huge losses due to delayed rains and the pest attacks.

He urged the government to help address the issue so residents do not go hungry.

"Some farmers are using ash to fight the worms as they do not have money to buy pesticides." 

Bumula MP Mwambu Mabonga has asked the county government to  distribute pesticides to farmers.

Maende also decried the high costs of farm inputs and the fuel crisis that has hit the country.

"Since I started farming I have never bought a 50kg of DAP fertiliser at Sh6,000 but this year I have. I appeal to the government to lower the cost of farm inputs," he said.

 

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