County Intensifies Fight Against Fall Army Warm

Bungoma County in partnership with Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) will roll out control drive of the fall Armyworms that infest maize plantations in Bungoma. The three-year long-standing partnership will see reduced crop yield loss, enhanced food security, increased production and eradication of poverty and hunger in betterment of Bungoma residents. In a deliberative meeting with FAO delegation led by Director Plant Production and Protection, Mr Jingyan Xia at the County offices Bungoma Deputy Governor Janepher Mbatiany hailed the collaborative ties between FAO and Bungoma as timely and a great relief to farmers amid the planting season. ‘The Fall armyworm knows no boundaries and is continuing to wreak havoc on crops, inflicting more costs, causing serious damage to food production and affecting thousands of farmers. This partnership will offer farmers hope and solution as they plant their crops,’ she observed. Mbatiany expressed the County Government’s commitment in empowering farmers and ensuring sustainability, and link technical partners to deliver science-based control solutions directly to farmers in the field. According to the records in the county agriculture department in Bungoma County, the most recent worst hit areas were Bumula and Kanduyi where by farmers made loses in maize and beans plantation. Mt Elgon Sub County which serves as the food basket of Western region, is one of the five water towers in the country and is also host to Mt Elgon national park was also affected according to the report. It further states that trees, napier grass, maize, beans and millet were affected. This led to poor livestock production like milk, meat due to poor feeds and affected feeds. The report further recommended that there was need for a quick intervention to save human being, animals and the water tower when it comes to food security. The County Government through Mabanga ATC has allocated eight acres of land, which will be managed by the county Department of Agriculture in managing the demo plots. County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Monicah Fedha was present at the meeting.

Source: Kenya News Agency