Fear of serious army worm infestation recedes slightly

Though army worms were reported to have infested large swathes of cropland and pasture last month, especially in the Somali region, the fear of a serious infestation countrywide seems to have “quietened down somewhat”, a UN emergencies unit spokesman in Addis Ababa told IRIN. The outbreak in the Somali region, which gave rise to fears of a spread through the Rift Valley and into Tigray, was brought under control by urgent government action and heavy rains which drowned the worms. The regions of Welo and Tigray were still in particular danger - with farmers planting crops that will be sprouting in the coming weeks - and the situation would be closely monitored as the peak season for army worms at the end of June and start of July approached, he added.