Maize seed sector under threat from ravaging fall armyworm

The country’s certified maize seed production could soon be derailed if ardent interventions are not taken to curb the ongoing devastation by the fall armyworm, according to Trans Nzoia County Agriculture Chief Officer, Mary Nzomo.

While addressing the press, Nzomo decried the lack of sufficient government involvement in alleviating the situation, as the affected county governments struggle on their own to address the invasion.

“Food security is a national issue, and it is imprudent that as the breadbaskets of the country are under the pest’s attack, the national government does not do enough to address the situation, and we are left fighting the battle on our own, with the help of partners such as the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Kephis and Kalro among others” she said.

“It is from the high status seed, which is now under threat, that we breed the basic seed from which we in turn produce growers’ seed for commercial distribution, with each stage taking a year to accomplish. This pest invasion could lead to lack of basic seeds hence no growers’ seed for farmers,” explained Nzomo, adding that this affects food security in the long term.

PROPER MITIGATION MEASURES

The county currently has 30,000 hectares under attack, with only about 10,000 of those sprayed, hence a prospected damage of approximately 600,000 bags, a situation which could be worsened if more interventions are not put up.

In concurrence, Trans Nzoia County Deputy Governor Stanley Tarus alluded that even with the interventions ongoing to control the pest, farmers are still not out of danger from the worm, as the limited mediations give them an opportunity to migrate and relaunch an attack in neighbouring farms.

He called for more support from the government stating that the country’s high status (breeding) maize seed is now under threat as seed growing farms are falling under attack from fall armyworm, a situation which could lead to lack of proper seeds for up to three years, as the region produces bulk of the country’s maize seeds.

Dr Lilian Gichuru, an ‎associate Program Officer at AGRA-Kenya and also a crop breeder called on employment of proper mitigation measures such as crop rotation, biological pesticides, genetic engineering, intercropping and integrated pest management practices, among other interventions to assuage the situation.

Many farmers in the region however still lament the lack of support in the course and also that ‘many of the products provided do not work’.