Post by: Adeleke Oreoluwa-oreoluwa.a@farmkonnectng.com
A comprehensive guide on the integrated pest management of the Fall Armyworm (FAW) in Africa has been launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
FAO Deputy Director-General, Maria Helena Semedo, said the guide would assist smallholder farmers and frontline agricultural staff to monitor the spread of Fall Armyworm (FAW) on the continent.
“The guide builds on the experiences of farmers and researchers from the Americas who have been dealing with the pest for centuries as well on new technology and lessons learnt so far in Africa. It gives African farmers and frontline agricultural workers the practical advice they need to tackle FAW head-on. It provides support for a correct identification of this new foe for African farmers, and offers options to manage it in an integrated, ecological and sustainable way,” she said.
She stated that Central and Southern Africa were on alert given the ongoing maize growing season in the sub-regions.
“We know that farmer education and community action are critical in best managing FAW, and curbing its spread as much as possible,” she said
Semedo called for preparation by African countries expected to be affected through re-enforcement of early warning systems at community level, sensitization for farmers, and using available materials, such as the guide.
FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa, Bukar Tijani stressed the importance of tackling the menace posed by the armyworms in Africa.
“As FAW is new to Africa, farmers’ and crop protection and extension workers’ good understanding of the pest’s behavior and management practices are crucial in effectively managing it without damaging human health and the environment,” he said
The guide was developed with contributions from FAO partners such as the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Lancaster University, Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI), Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA), Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Source: Agro Nigeria
agronigeria.com.ng/fao-launches-guide-tackle-armyworm-africa/


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