By Isaac Salima:
Farmers Organisation Limited (FOL) has said farmers need to be sensitised to the availability and proper usage of pesticides if the country is to deal with pests such as fall armyworms.
Lately the country has been hit by the fall armyworms posing great danger to food security.
FOL Sales and Marketing Manager, Ronald Chilumpha, said pesticides are always available in the country but lack of awareness on how to find and use them is contributing to an increase of pests in crops.
“For farmers to identify right pesticides is proving to be a big challenge. For instance, the pesticides for armyworms were tested and approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and are on the market.
“Farmers have to know the certified agro-dealers who can supply them with the pesticides and understand application methods and through this way we can ably fight the fall armyworms,” Chilumpha said.
He cited an example on timing of application of the pesticides as one area that most farmers miss.
Chilumpha further said they are hopeful that a new product Fordeza Dou that is currently under trial would also be a best remedy for the fall armyworms since the seeds will be treated before being planted.
Reacting, Farmers Union of Malawi president, Frighton Njolomole blamed the government for what he called lack of convincing preparedness for eventualities such as fall armyworms.
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