Grain SA has strongly advised local wheat farmers to be on the lookout for fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) after unconfirmed reports were received of the pest being found in wheat production areas in Zimbabwe.
In a statement, the association urged farmers to conduct regular checks of their lands.
Dr Marinda Visser (Grain SA Manager of Research), Jan Hendrik Venter (manager of early warning systems at the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries), and other role players are due to meet at a FAW steering committee meeting today, July 19.
Visser told Farmer’s Weekly that they hoped to receive further clarity on the reports later in the week.
According to Grain SA, summer grain producers across the country had reported damage as a result of the new pest. However, with winter temperatures and reduced production in these areas, pest activity had slowed down significantly.
Visser could not comment on whether colder areas would be safe from the pest, saying they would be able to provide further information in due course.
South Sudan recently declared a fall armyworm outbreak in its Equatoria region.
The Sudan Tribune reported on its website (sudantribune.com) that the pest had been detected in Magwi, Yei and Juba, Northern Bahr el Gazal, and parts of Jonglei.
