Kigali: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has been supporting farmers and Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), to monitor and manage the fall armyworm infestation, as well as develop early warning systems to mitigate future infestations.

Under a project titled “Support to the Government of Rwanda in sustainable control and management of Fall Armyworm”, FAO will distribute 1,800 pheromone lures and traps to farmers from six districts most affected: Nyamagabe, Nyanza, Muhanga, Rwamagana, Nyagatare and Kayonza in the Southern and Eastern Province.

The pheromone traps mostly target male moths because they are the ones responsible for reproduction through mating the female ones to produce larvae (or armyworm).

In addition, 60 mobile phones, fully installed with Fall Armyworm Monitoring and Early Warning System (Famews) software, will be distributed to farmers from the six districts to enable them and agricultural workers to detect and report the level of infestation.

The event to distribute the technologies will be held in Rwamagana District on 20 December 2018.

Experts say that spotting the pest when it is still a larva is key to prevention.

FAO has already trained farmers, technical officers from MINAGRI, and the District and Sector agronomists in early warming and monitoring of the fall armyworm.

rnanews.com