An outbreak of African armyworm infestations have been reported in the Frances Baard, ZF Mgcawu and Pixley ka Seme districts.
Image: Department of Agriculture Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform
THE NORTHERN Cape Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform has confirmed an outbreak of African armyworm in three districts of the Northern Cape.
Department spokesperson Stephen Galane said the presence of the pests was reported by farmers in the ZF Mgcawu, Pixley ka Seme and Frances Baard districts.
“This follows an earlier investigation by the department in the John Taolo Gaetsewe (JTG) District Municipality, where local farmers reported suspected African armyworm infestations. A team was deployed to assess maize fields in Metsimantsi and Bankhara-Bodulong, where worms were discovered. However, the findings confirmed that these were not African armyworms. While the initial suspicions in the JTG region were ruled out, the reports heightened vigilance among farmers in other districts, ultimately leading to the confirmation of outbreaks in ZF Mgcawu, Pixley ka Seme, and Frances Baard districts,” said Galane.
He added that the department would work together with all agricultural role players by providing pesticides containing Deltamethrin and Esfenvalerate in liquid and powder form to contain the outbreak.
“The African armyworm can be identified by white and yellow stripes along its back in the early stages and black with a blue line positioned between yellow and black lines in its mature stage.”
Galane warned that if not properly managed, the African armyworm infestation could result in severe economic damage, where grazing grass and key agricultural cereal crops such as maize, sorghum, wheat, sugarcane, rice and millet could be destroyed.
“These worms primarily feed on leaves, leading to significant crop loss.”
He said that the provincial department, together with the national Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, would conduct training for the safe and effective pest control. “Extension officers will be equipped with the necessary skills to train farmers and farm workers on the chemical handling, application techniques, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).”
The MEC for Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, Mase Manopole, acknowledged the significant impact the outbreak had on farmers and food production in the province.
“We understand the challenges that this outbreak poses and, as a department, we are actively responding to mitigate the damage and support our farmers. Our teams will be monitoring the situation, providing guidance, and implementing necessary measures to contain the spread of the African armyworm within the province,” Manopole said.
She urged all farmers and agricultural stakeholders to remain vigilant and report any suspected infestations to local agricultural extension officers for immediate action.