FOL advocates use of treated seed
By Emmanuel Chirwa:
Farmers Organisation Limited (FOL) has urged local farmers to be using treated seeds as a remedy to the fall armyworm.
FOL National Sales and Marketing Manager, Ronald Chilumpha said Wednesday during a media briefing on the innovations the company has brought on the market.
Chilumpha said chemically dressed seeds are protected from pests for a period of six weeks after germination.
“Seed dressing is a best technology we can benefit from as a country,” Chilumpha said.
Currently, pesticides used against the fall armyworms include Steward 150 EC, Belt 480 SC, Proclaim Fit, Chlorpyrifos, Decis Forte, Deltanex and a seed dresser, Monceret GT.
Another seed dresser, Fortenza Duo pesticide which is specific for the fall armyworms is yet to be registered.
Innovations from FOL include 2-4D Pesticide for rice, Termidor, an insecticide against termites, which has replaced chlordane which was banned for its high toxicity.
Chilumpha said these products are greener, less toxic, effective and affordable.
Since 2016, the nation has been grappling with of fall armyworms and in 2017/2018 growing season, more than 300 hectares of crop land was devastated.
