Government through the Ministry of Agriculture Animal industry and Fisheries has set aside 4.5 billion in an attempt to control the spread the destructive Fall Armyworm that recently hit various parts of the country.
Officials say the money will be used in sensitizing farmers and procurement of a pesticide named Striker (Lambdalyhalothrin and Thiamethoxamlocals) which was has been proved effective on the pest.
Hon Vincent Ssempijja, the Minister of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries says the ministry will be working hand in hand with the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) which is currently conducting a study on the pest.
“NARO is conducting a study on biology and ecology with the aim of understanding the pest as well as monitoring, collecting and identifying any outbreak of the pest in new areas”
While addressing the media on Monday at the Uganda Media Center, Ssempijja revealed that the pest has already affected more than 54 districts in Uganda and continues to spread at a very high rate.
Farmers were urged to make use of the recommended pesticide by spraying twice a day: in the morning from 7am -10am and at 3pm -6pm in the evening.
The Armyworm in Uganda was first detected in three districts of Kayunga, Kasese and Bukedea between May – July 2016.
In other countries the worm caused vast distraction of plantations.
In Zambia for instance, it is estimated that up to 130,000 hectares of maize were destroyed. The country spent USD 3million to control the pest while neighboring Kenya put in Shs 1million dollars.