23 Feb 2025

The recent heavy rains that hit most parts of the country last week have resulted in the outbreak of the African armyworm detected in some parts of the country. 

In an interview with BOPA during tour of ploughing fields in Mosisedi, Mokatako, Molete, Mmalore, and Mokgomane on Saturday, acting director of Plant health in the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture, Mr Loitseng Sebetwane said heavy rains presented an ideal environment for the worm to thrive. 

He pointed out that they received reports from some farmers in the Barolong farms that the African armyworm had been spotted in some fields. 

“That is why we have decided to tour the farms to check the extent of the outbreak so that we can, at the earliest time possible mobilise resources and manpower to control this pest”, he said.

He urged farmers in their respective areas to report any sightings of the African armyworm and the Fall armyworm. 

Mr Jan Cronje of Mosisedi Farms, revealed that they first spotted the worm on Wednesday last week. He said they tried using pesticides because it had started to increase in numbers. 

“The problem that farmers are most likely to face is lack of pesticides in agric shops,” he said adding that he had a hard time finding the ones he used. 

Mr Cronje who had ploughed over 500 hectares of maize, was optimistic that with the right approach and prompt response, farmers would this year have a bumper harvest. 

He said the last time they experienced the African armyworm was in 2017 after they received another above normal rains in the district. Another farmer from Mokatako Mr Amos Lesenyego said their fields have also been attacked by the African armyworm. 

He said the worm seems to be spreading at high rate and was feasting on their produce. Mr Lesenyego said the African armyworm was accompanied by the Fall armyworm which too could leave devastating effects on its trail. Farmers also narrated that apart from damaging crops, the worms were capable of destroying grazing pastures. ENDS