HARARE, March 25 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe continues to grapple with its worst African armyworm outbreak in 20 years and is assessing the damage the pest has caused to crops, a senior official said on Tuesday.
Speaking at a post-Cabinet media briefing in the Zimbabwean capital of Harare, Anxious Masuka, minister of lands, agriculture, fisheries, water and rural development, urged farming communities nationwide to remain on high alert to contain the pest.
"We urge everyone to respond to any incident of suspected African armyworm. It does not mean that the farmer alone has to purchase chemicals if there is an outbreak. The government is obligated in terms of the law to respond and respond expeditiously," Masuka said in response to a question from Xinhua.
He said the government will not provide quantitative damage caused by the pest until next month, after the completion of the ongoing second round of crop, livestock and fishery assessments, the results of which are due by mid-April.
According to the minister, the Zimbabwean government has mobilized enough resources, including chemicals and vehicles, and has set up 214 surveillance traps to contain the outbreak.
Masuka also disclosed that despite ongoing efforts, sporadic outbreaks of the African armyworm continue to emerge in new areas, including in Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central, and Mashonaland East provinces.
The outbreak came amid hopes for a better 2024/2025 farming season, following above-average rainfall received during the second half of the farming season between January and March.
Zimbabwe is still recovering from last year's El Nino-induced drought, which left about 60 percent of the population food insecure and in need of emergency food assistance.
