Kisumu County is reeling from the devastating effects of the African armyworms, which have destroyed 60% of the maize and sorghum crops.
According to Dr. Paul Omanga, the Kisumu County Chief Officer in charge of agriculture, the pests have ravaged 10,000 acres of crops and pasture in the area.
The joint effort between the national and county governments to eradicate the pests, combined with the ongoing rains, has helped bring the situation under control.
"The heavy downpour washed away the armyworms, making it difficult for them to reproduce even in their hideouts," Dr. Omanga explained.
As a result, farmers in the area are expected to harvest only 40% of their crop, posing a significant threat to food security.
However, the county government, in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, has distributed free seeds and fertilizer to farmers to cushion them against the losses.
"We gave out plenty of seeds and fertilizer initially, which we hope they had spared some to help them during this planting season," Dr. Omanga said.
As a long-term measure to contain the menace, Dr. Omanga advised farmers to prepare early to counter the trans-boundary pests and avert massive losses.
