Government intensifies efforts to contain Fall Armyworms

The Government of Rwanda has intensified efforts to contain the spread of Fall Armyworms – an invasive pest which is a native of the Americas – in a bid to support farmers whose maize plantations have been affected by this pest.

Fall armyworms were first reported in Mushishito maize marshland located in the sectors of Uwinkingi and Kibilizi in Nyamagabe District at the end of February 2017. On 13th March 2017, all Districts of Southern Province had reported the pest. Later, the pest was found distributed in almost all 30 districts of the country. The pest has so far infested 15,699ha, representing 24.7% of the total area of 63,499 ha planted maize and sorghum countrywide.

Interventions for the control of FAW in Rwanda

As the new pest that spreads rapidly, the Rwandan strategy has been to concentrate and coordinate efforts of stakeholders (Ministry of Local Government, Rwanda Defense Force, Rwanda National Police) from national to the local level through a massive training at all levels the integrated management methods physical and chemical measures, provision of field equipment (manual and motorized sprayer pumps, protective gear) and pesticides, mainly Profenofos 40% EC+Cypermethrin 4% EC.

Intensive awareness campaign through provincial meetings and media: the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) and Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB) conducted awareness raising meetings at provincial and district levels, educating local leaders, agronomists and farmers about the new pest, its negative impact and methods of control.

MINAGRI and its agency also initiated radio talk shows to sensitize the public about the new pest through public, private and community radios.

To control the pest, RAB senior technical staff also intervened in affected areas, and carried out field surveillance to confirm the identity of the pest, its incidence and advised on the appropriate chemicals and Integrated Pest Management options such as hand picking and destruction of the larvae.

In addition to this, there have been massive trainings of farmers, agronomists and local leaders, at district and sector levels, on differentiating FAW from maize stalk borer for target control of the new pest. And RAB provided appropriated insecticides to the affected farmers with limited means for quick intervention. Some farmer cooperatives and individual have taken up the initiative to purchase chemicals from agro-dealers on their own.

Districts also developed roadmaps for community work (special umuganda) involving hand picking and chemical application on infested crops. Different interventions were conducted such preparations and mapping of all affected areas including consolidated sites and small scale farms. As usual, Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) has also come in bolster the efforts providing work Force on the ground throughout the whole country and rapid delivery of required insecticides using helicopters. By so doing, it has been possible to replenish supplies in real time.

The Fall Army Worm (Spodoptera frugiperda) was first reported in West Africa (Nigeria, Sao Tome, Benin and Togo) in January 2016. Between December 2016 and March 2017, the FAW was reported in several countries in Southern (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Swaziland, Malawi, Mozambique and Namibia), Central (DR Congo) and Eastern Africa (Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda). The FAW moth stage spreads on prevailing winds and its larvae stage attacks over 80 plant species, but has preference for crops of the gramineae family; including but not limited to maize, sorghum, rice, wheat, napier grass and sugarcane. The adult moth lays eggs on the surface of leaves, which hatch after 2-3 days. The resultant larvae (caterpillars) feed on leaves causing damage similar to hailstorm. If there is no timely intervention, the FAW outbreak may lead to the total loss of crop yield especially cereals (maize, wheat, rice and sorghum), leading to food insecurity in the country.

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