About 1,394 hectares of crop fields have been attacked by fall armyworms in Isoka District in Muchinga Province, affecting 2,836 farmers.

Speaking in a phone interview with the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS), Isoka District Crop Husbandry Officer Kelvin Sikanyika said the affected hectarage accounts for 26 percent of crops as of last week.

Mr Sikanyika said government has moved in swiftly to contain the outbreak, adding that the district was still projected to record a bumper harvest owing to favourable rainfall patterns.

“So far, 1,394 hectares of crops have been attacked, representing 26 percent as of last week, but government is working tirelessly to combat the outbreak,” he said.

He explained that the Ministry of Agriculture supplied the district with 130 boxes of chemicals to support affected farmers.

Mr Sikanyika said 83 boxes have already been distributed to camp extension officers, while 47 boxes remain available for farmers who are yet to report cases of infestation.

“Farmers whose fields have been affected are encouraged to report immediately to their camp extension officers so they can access the remaining chemicals,” he highlighted.

Meanwhile, farmers in the district have commended government for the timely intervention.

One of the farmers, Maureen Chisanga said the prompt distribution of chemicals has brought relief to many farmers whose crops were under threat.

“The fall armyworms had threatened my maize field and other crops, and we feared low yields, but the intervention from government has given us hope of saving our crops and ensuring food security for our families,” she noted.