Lusaka, Zambia – 4 July 2026
The Ministry of Agriculture has officially launched the Second Edition of the Integrated Fall Armyworm Management Manual for Extension Officers, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to strengthening Zambia’s fight against one of the country’s most destructive agricultural pests.
The manual was officially unveiled by the Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Mr. John A. Mulongoti, during a ceremony held at Mulungushi House in Lusaka. The event brought together representatives from GIZ, officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Zambia Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI), members of the Fall Armyworm (FAW) Task Force, and the media.
Speaking during the launch, Mr. Mulongoti described the manual as more than just a technical publication, calling it “a symbol of our collective commitment to protecting the livelihoods of millions of Zambian farmers.”
Since its first detection in Zambia in 2016, the Fall Armyworm has remained a major threat to maize production and national food security. The Government, working with cooperating partners, responded through farmer sensitization campaigns, extension officer training, and the promotion of early warning and rapid response systems. The first edition of the manual became a key resource in these efforts by providing frontline agricultural officers with practical knowledge and management strategies.
The Permanent Secretary noted that changing farming systems, evolving pest behaviour, and advances in scientific research made it necessary to revise and update the manual.
“The publication of this second edition reflects our commitment to continuous learning and improvement,” he said. “It ensures that our extension officers have access to the latest knowledge and practical guidance needed to effectively manage Fall Armyworm and support sustainable agricultural production.”
The updated manual incorporates lessons learned from field experiences, new research findings, and feedback from extension officers working directly with farming communities across the country. It offers practical decision-making tools and promotes Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches, including cultural, biological, and biopesticide-based interventions, while recommending the careful use of low-risk synthetic pesticides only as a measure of last resort.
Mr. Mulongoti emphasized that extension officers play a vital role as the link between agricultural science and farmers by translating technical knowledge into practical actions that can be implemented even by smallholder farmers with limited resources.
He further stated that the revised manual aligns with Zambia’s national agenda of promoting climate-smart agriculture, sustainable intensification, and reduced dependence on broad-spectrum pesticides.
“We cannot solve the Fall Armyworm challenge through spraying alone,” he said. “We must manage it intelligently through integrated and sustainable approaches.”
The Ministry also expressed gratitude to its development partners, particularly GIZ, for their technical and financial support in producing the second edition. The collaboration, according to the Permanent Secretary, demonstrates the importance of partnerships in strengthening agricultural resilience and improving food security.
Mr. Mulongoti called upon the Department of Agriculture to ensure that the manual reaches every district and every camp extension officer across the country. He also stressed the need for continuous monitoring and evaluation to assess the manual’s impact on crop yields, productivity, and farmer incomes.
“As we roll out this second edition, we must also establish mechanisms to track its utilization and measure its effectiveness. The lessons we learn will help strengthen our extension services and guide future improvements,” he said.
Officially declaring the manual launched, Mr. Mulongoti encouraged all extension officers and stakeholders to embrace and actively utilize the resource in order to protect crops, increase agricultural productivity, and contribute to a more food-secure Zambia.
The launch of the Second Edition of the Integrated Fall Armyworm Management Manual marks another significant milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to build a resilient and sustainable agricultural sector capable of meeting current and future challenges.
