Mr. Maamah James Wikire, the acting Municipal Director for Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) who made this known to the media, said farmers started reporting the presence of the Fall Army Worms since early April and they were advised to spray them.

MOFA is collaborating with the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) Coordinator Mr. Jibril Larbi Kesse for assessment compilation of the affected farmers.

“The caterpillars are mainly found feeding young maize plants”, he said. He noted that they normally damage the maize leaves were usually characterized by raged feeding and moist sawdust-like frass near the funnel and upper leaves.

He observed that Fall Army Worms mostly feeds in the evening and morning and also goes inside the maize plant and continues feeding during the day time. He said they also feed on cashew, cocoa, beans, among others.

On their control, Mr. James recommended the use of insecticides or chemicals such as supertop and confidol.

Currently, the acting Agricultural Director said his office is collaborating with NADMO to register the affected farmers and to see how best government can support them control the worms.