Rwanda is food secure despite fall armyworm

Rwanda is food secure despite fall armyworm – Hon. Minister Mukeshimana

Rwanda’s food security situation remains under control despite the fall armyworms that have affected maize plantations in some areas of the country during the current season, according to Dr Gerardine Mukeshimana, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources.

First reported in Nyamagabe District at the end of February 2017, the pest has so far infested 15,699 hecatares, representing a quarter of the total area of 63,499 heactares planted with maize. This represents a small portion – around 5% – of the total cultivated land countrywide this season.

“The armyworms will not seriously impact food security because maize was not cultivated in large areas of land during the agriculture season 2017B,” Minister Mukeshimana points out. “95% of the total cultivated land this season – 1,300,000 hectares – covers other crops which will sustain food security.”

These crops include beans, Irish potatoes, banana, rice, wheat, soybeans, and cassava that have been prioritized under the Crop Intensification Programme (CIP). Other subsistence crops such as sweet potatoes have also been grown during this season to ensure food security, the minister adds.

Joint intervention

Minister Mukeshimana explained that the Government of Rwanda stepped up plans to fight armyworms in the beginning of 2017 after the pest was reported in some Southern Africa countries. From that time, farmers across the country were alerted and a campaign was conducted to inform them on how to identify and fight armyworms.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) initiated radio talk shows to raise awareness about the new pest. In addition, there has been massive trainings of farmers, agronomists and local leaders at district and sector levels, on differentiating fall armyworms from maize stalk borer for better targeted control measures.

The Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB) has provided insecticides to affected farmers who have limited means, tin order to facilitate quick intervention. Some farmer cooperatives and individuals have taken the initiative to purchase chemicals from agro-dealers on their own.

MINAGRI also sought support from other institutions mainly Local Government, Rwanda Defense Force and National Police in the exercise to spray pesticides and collect armyworms from affected farms. The pesticides being used are eco-friendly to avoid further adverse effects to the environment.

“From the time the Ministry and other institutions started to spray pesticides, the armyworms have reduced. However efforts are still underway will continue to for a long period of time to ensure that the pest is completely eradicated,” Minister Mukeshimana said. “The ministry is working hand in hand with local leaders all over the country to support farmers in the getting rid of armyworms.”

The fall armyworm was first reported in West Africa in January 2016. Between December 2016 and March 2017, it was reported in several countries in Southern, and Eastern Africa.

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