Armyworms attack Etunda maize plantation

Farmers of the Etunda Green Scheme Irrigation Project near Ruacana in the Omusati Region have been battling an armyworm attack on their plantations over the last three months.

One of the farmers, Antonio West, confirmed the armyworm invasion in a telephonic interview with Nampa on Monday.

According to West, the worms attack mostly the maize plantations.

“The worms are destroying our maize plants to the ground since we started the planting in November and continue causing havoc despite the fact that we are using spray to fight the larvae,” said West.

He said the farmers spent a lot of money in buying chemicals to spray their plants against the infestation without any success.

The farmers are now calling on the government to intervene in order to help them win the fight against the worms.

“I have 2.5 hectares of land already affected,” West said.

Farmers believe maize of a compromised quantity and quality will be produced at the project this year as a result of the worm invasion.

Project manager Albertus Viljoen also confirmed the attack on crops, saying the problem of worms deterring good harvests at Etunda was also experienced during the 2016/17 season.

He pointed out that armyworms destroy maize plants at all stages of growing.

“The worms are protected from the spray by penetrating the plant, especially the maize head, and remain hiding during the spraying exercise,” Viljoen explained.

The armyworm is described as a common early season pest. - Nampa