Army worms invade farmers' fields

Army worms have invaded farmers' fields in Malawi's northern agricultural district of Karonga, raising local concerns over the impact on food security in the coming year.

"I am only hoping that government will do something before our crops are destroyed," Eric Kalinga told IRIN last week, when the pests first appeared in his farm.

Army worms, the caterpillar life stage of a moth, are voracious eaters. However, agricultural officials have assured farmers that there was no cause for alarm, and the outbreak would be brought under control through a chemical spray programme.

"We have managed to contain the problem, and we have asked farmers to re-plant crops in areas that have been hit hard," District Agricultural Development Officer Bill Mhango told IRIN.

Karonga district, bordering Tanzania to the north and Zambia to the northwest, produces maize, rice and cassava. Mhango said about 158 hectares of maize and rice were destroyed in one of the hardest hit areas of the district.

Apart from chemical spraying to control the infestation, "we are also being assisted by the heavy rains and birds that are feeding on the pests", Mhango said.

Karonga Agricultural Development Division programme manager, Paul Ching'amba, said the government would ensure that the outbreak did not spread to other parts of the district.