Farmers are crying out for help following the invasion of African army worms that have destroyed their gardens. The African armyworms are caterpillars that march across the landscape in large groups feasting on young plants leaving huge devastation. Some of the caterpillars are black, green and yellow and capable of destroying an acre of crop field within a day.
The caterpillars feed on all types of grasses, food crops, coffee, and pineapples among others. In the Luwero district, the African Armyworms were first detected on the farm belonging to Bugema University on March 26th, 2022.
However, in less than two weeks, the worms have spread to six sub-counties. The invasive worms have destroyed hundreds of acres of food crops and pasture in Zirobwe, Kalagala, Makulubita, Butuntumula Busiika sub-counties and Kamira town council.
Charles Kizito, a farmer at Kyampologoma village in Kamira town council, says that the African Armyworms destroyed his one acre of maize within a day causing him a financial loss of about Shillings 400,000. Siraje Mboowa, another affected farmer, says that the armyworm destroyed his 10-acre maize garden less than three days after he detected them.
Mboowa says that he has spent over Shillings 800,000 on pesticides to kill the armyworms in vain. Masudi Wasswa, another resident has also lost three acres of maize. Our reporter found him looking for seeds to replant his garden.
The farmers have asked Luwero district and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries to come to their rescue by providing them free genuine pesticides to fight the armyworm as well as seeds to replace their gardens.
Isah Ntege, the LC 1 Chairman of Kabunyata village says about 20 farmers have reported to him about the invasion of the worms. Ntege says that the area is facing food insecurity because of the heavy crop destruction.
Fred Musisi, the Buwanuka ward parish councillor in Kamira town council, says that apart from food crops, the armyworm has also destroyed pasture, which may lead to the death of cattle. The recommended pesticides go for between Shillings 18,000 -35,000 per litre in Luwero district.
However, farmers say some of the pesticides on the markets are fake. Wilberforce Ssemigga, the Luwero District Agriculture Officer says that the department had applied for pesticides from the Ministry of Agriculture but before they could pick up the consignment, the central stores in Wandegeya caught fire.
Ssemigga says that he has now written to Uganda Coffee Development Authority requesting pesticides because the armyworm has equally affected coffee plantations.
In Serere, Damali Asekenye the District Agriculture officer, says that the worms have invaded all the 15 sub-counties there. Asekenye explains that the pests have destroyed maize, sorghum and millet leaving farmers in tears.
“We are hopeful that the pests will be suppressed if the rains set in and crops like millet will be able to rejuvenate easily,” Asekenye said. In the Amolatar district, the warms have been reported in Namasale, Aci, Awelo, Etam, Arwotcek and Abeja sub-counties.
Allan Tekkara Obonyo, an entomologist at Ngetta Zonal Agricultural Research Development Institute (ZARDI), says that the damage has been seen largely on pasture because the farmers had not planted food crops due to prolonged drought in the area.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries, the pest has also spread to Nakaseke, Mukono, Wakiso, Katakwi, Bugweri, Bukedea, Kiryandongo and Kumi districts. Others districts affected are Namutumba, Mityana, Kiryandongo, Bugiri and Busia.
