Maize farmers in Moiben Sub County are in panic after at least 100 acres of their farms were invaded with the deadly fall armyworms.
The farmers whose maize is barely two months old since germination now fear they might encounter huge losses due to the invasion.
Speaking to Uasin Gishu News, the farmers called on the government to come to their rescue and help in curbing the spread of the armyworms.
“The Ministry of Agriculture should take immediate action and help farmers. They need to come to this area and provide us with pesticides and sensitize us on how best to tackle these invasions,” said Adams Keitany, one of the affected farmers in Sergoit.
They now fear should the situation persist, the country might next year face hunger.
Moiben is one of the key areas with the highest production of maize in the North Rift region.
“With this situation, things might be worse in the country in terms of food security. We farmers have already suffered due to the high cost of farm inputs, and the fall armyworms invasion has worsened the situation,” noted Keitany.
Before the government provided subsidized fertilizers, farmers were purchasing a 50kilogram bag of maize at over Ksh6,000.
The price has since dropped by half – but only for farmers getting the product at the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots.
“These fall armyworms are spreading very fast. Just two weeks ago, they were in Karandili, and now they are here with us. The government needs to find a way to stop them,” said another farmer – Fredrick Chebet.
Chebet cautioned that at least 1,000 farms might be invaded by the worms within the next two weeks should the government fail to take an action.
“The Ministry should give us pesticides. The worms are also affecting our grass for livestock,” he noted.
The farmers also say their counterparts in Elgego Marakwet county have equally been affected by the fall armyworms invasion.
They challenged Agriculture officials from both Uasin Gishu and Elgeyo Marakwet counties to work closely in addressing the issue they warn might easily turn into a crisis if not properly addressed.
