By NICHOLAS MWAMBAZI
AGRICULTURE field staff in Choma in Southern province have been urged to fight against the destructive Fall Armyworm (FAW) pest, which continues to threaten maize production and national food security.
Speaking during a Fall Armyworm Management Training for frontline defenders who are Agriculture Assistants, Acting Deputy Director Shadrick Mwale,emphasized the importance of using innovations tools such as ICT as the Ministry handles over 40 smart phones to the participants.
Mr. Mwale added that efforts to prevent the devastating effects of the Fall Armyworm go beyond traditional knowledge sharing, calling it a “national call to defend food security through real-time informed extension services.”
Mr Mwale “The Fall Armyworm continues to threaten our maize production and as Zambians, maize is our stable if we remain without scouting for these pest we risk compromising our National food security despite efforts in terms of inputs we may put for the much anticipated bumper harvest. But the solution is not just chemicals—it is knowledge, coordination, and timely action,” he stated.
He highlighted the importance of information dissemination within the programme.
“A well- equipped and informed extension officer is an empowered officer and proactive before disaster occur.”
The training comprises 3 participants from each district in Southern Province and training was conducted by officers from ZARI and ICT department in the Ministry of Agriculture.
And the FAW Coordinator, Sally Chikuta, implored participants to approach the training with seriousness, characterizing them as foot soldiers for the government in the battle to protect farmers from the pest.
“You must take this knowledge and put it into practice. That is the only way to justify the resources being invested in you,” Dr Chikuta stressed.
The four-day programme was supported by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). The training provided officers with practical skills in FAW scouting, early detection methods, integrated pest management techniques, and effective communication strategies using online surveys to collect real-time information in agricultural Camps
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