Agricultural research experts have asked farmers to adopt integrated pest management techniques as one way of reducing the infestation of fall army worms and improving food security in the country.
Research Scientist at the International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Dr Girma Hairo, says the use of toxic insecticides and chemicals poses environmental threats to both farmers and the environment hence the need for ecological and natural ways of managing the pests.
Hairo says the integration involves different innovations such as Push-pull technology, use of natural enemies and the bio pesticide management.
“The ecological management option is designed in such a way that we are applying different control strategies so that both our maize and the environment are not affected,” Hairo said.
He added that ecological pest management has proved to be effective during the pilot phase in Domasi and Malosa Extension Planning Areas where smallholder farmers have been equipped with basic skills to understand how plants interact with each other.
“Our farmers are also using natural enemies as a biological control that reduces feeding and mating behavior or preventing the eggs from hatching to a larvae. Subsequently, the population [of the fall army worms] will decline. When you combine push-pull and release natural enemies and then use bio pesticides, the combined effect will be a significant reduction of fall army worms,” he explained.
