The Trans Nzoia County government has received 3, 000 litres of pesticide to combat fall army worms in the region.
Speaking after receiving the pesticide outside her office on Thursday, the CEC Agriculture, Mary Nzomo said that the consignment was from the National government.
“The pest is known to mainly feed on maize but it can also infest other crops like wheat and avocado,” Nzomo said.
She asked wheat and avocado farmers in the region to be vigilant and identify the army worms in good time to save their crops through spraying.
According to Nzomo, the donation from national government was a big relief to small scale farmers as they could not afford the cost of the pesticide.
She revealed that Trans Nzoia County has trained 50 youths as spray service providers that would be used by the county government to fight fall army worms that have given farmers sleepless nights.
She asked farmers to venture into short term crops that have short season maturity to boost food security during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Famers need to embrace alternative planting of short term harvesting crops like Irish potatoes, vegetables and fruits so as to boost food security during this season,” she urged.
The Trans Nzoia Agriculture Chief Officer, Robert Musikoyo assured farmers that the pesticides were safe for use.
He said that the county government had received at least 9, 000 coffee and tea seedlings from the national government under the crop diversification programme.
The chief officer said that the seedlings would be given to small scale farmers to encourage them move away from maize farming.
By Pauline Ikanda
