By Lawrence Kabutu
The New Dawn Administration through the Ministry of Agriculture has dispatched 9,798 litres of chemicals to contain and control Fall Army Worms in Southern Province.
Southern Province Agricultural Coordinator MAX CHOOMBE also revealed that government has further delivered 225 knapsack sprayers to the province in a bid to fight the pest.
Dr. CHOOMBE says the chemicals will be proportionally distributed according to infestation by the pest to all the 15 districts in Southern Province.
And Senior Field Crops Officer NOVAS SOMANJE said Kalomo and Sinazongwe districts will receive the largest share of chemicals following the highest hecterage registered in the two districts.
Meanwhile Principal Agricultural Officer PAUL NYAMBE says the ministry of Agriculture will quickly deliver chemicals and sprayers to districts and consequently to the camps in the province.
Mr. NYAMBE noted that the Provincial Agricultural Office is working in closer collaboration with other stakeholders and the Camp Extension Officers to ensure that the pest is brought under control.
He said Agricultural Extension Officers should get hold of the Knapsack sprayers and hold demonstration through spraying.
Mr. NYAMBE stated that lead farmers already have sprayers accessed through other programmes, but encouraged farmers to buy sprayers and use the chemicals received in the province.
He implored Agricultural Camp Extension Officers to be on hand to assist farmers in chemical calibration.
Mr. NYAMBE called on farmers to use the chemicals carefully and use protective clothing when spraying.
Over 61 thousand farmer households in Southern Province have been affected by the Fall Army Worm.
