This is the third year in a row that the pest is attacking maize in the east African nation, with agriculture experts noting that the vagaries of climate change are getting worse.
The armyworm attack is expected to be worse this season due to insufficient rainfall, according to agricultural experts. This is because the current dry weather following failed rains offers perfect conditions for the fall armyworms to reproduce and spread faster to other areas.
Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, a government agency, has warned that this year’s armyworm invasion would be worsened by the erratic rainfall.
Besides pesticides, the ministry of agriculture is advising farmers through an SMS service to use ash and even soapy water to eliminate the pests.
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