Maize crops in Malawi threatened by African armyworm outbreak

MALAWI – Maize crops across Malawi are facing a serious threat from a widespread outbreak of African armyworms, which have already infested over 412 hectares of farmland.

Elida Kazira, the director of the Department of Crop Development, revealed in a written statement that agricultural extension officers are actively assessing the situation and monitoring the pest’s movement.

Reports from the Mzuzu Agricultural Development Division (ADD) indicate that the pest has attacked 39 hectares in Rumphi and Mzimba North districts. In the Blantyre ADD, which includes Phalombe and Chiradzulu districts, about 161.6 hectares have been affected.

The Machinga ADD, which covers Balaka and Machinga districts, has reported infestation on around 191 hectares, while the Salima ADD has seen damage on approximately 21 hectares.

African armyworms are notorious for their ability to destroy cereal crops such as maize, rice, sorghum, and millet. These pests hatch from eggs laid by adult moths and are voracious feeders. If left uncontrolled, they can quickly decimate entire fields, causing significant crop losses.

In response to the outbreak, the Ministry of Agriculture has launched a coordinated effort to distribute pesticides to the affected districts and ADDs.

Kazira emphasized that teams are on the ground to respond to any emergencies, and spraying efforts are underway in the affected fields and surrounding areas to control the pest. Additionally, the Ministry has deployed pheromone traps as part of a forecasting system to detect outbreaks of both African and fall armyworms as early as possible.

The outbreak has been linked to favorable weather conditions, including a pattern of intermittent rainfall followed by sunny days, which creates an ideal breeding environment for the African armyworm. Farmers have been urged to remain vigilant and report any outbreaks to the nearest agricultural office for swift intervention.

Meanwhile, farmers are facing a dire situation in Mangochi, a district already grappling with fall armyworm infestations. Hundreds of farmers in various traditional authorities (T/As) report that fall armyworms have extensively damaged their maize crops.

Rose Amini, a farmer from Chimbende Village in T/A Chowe, shared that the pests had destroyed all the maize in her garden. Mangochi’s chief agriculture officer, Oscar Kambombe, confirmed that approximately 1,300 hectares of maize in the district have been affected by fall armyworms.

The outbreak comes at a time when the country is facing soaring maize prices amid supply shortages.

Recently, consumers expressed alarm as maize prices continue to escalate, with a 50-kilogram bag of the staple grain now selling for up to MWK 65,000 (US$65) in some markets.

Spot checks and data from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) revealed that consumers are purchasing maize at MWK 1,300 per kilogram, significantly higher than the MWK 790 per kilogram (MWK 39,500 per 50kg bag) offered at Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (ADMARC) outlets.

According to experts, this price surge poses a substantial challenge to low-income workers earning the government-set minimum wage of MWK 90,000 per month (US$90), especially as the average cost of living for a family of six hovers around MWK 540,000 (US$540).

Sign up to HERE receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.

Newer Post

Thumbnail for Maize crops in Malawi threatened by African armyworm outbreak

Tanis Milling Technologies commissions advanced flour mill in Lahore, Pakistan

Older Post

Thumbnail for Maize crops in Malawi threatened by African armyworm outbreak

African leaders endorse CAADP 10-Year strategy to strengthen agriculture, nutrition security