Fall armyworm attacks spread, threatening yields
African armyworms have affected more than 20 000 hectares of crops nationwide.
Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale yesterday shared data from the ministry indicating that Machinga Agricultural Development Division (ADD), which also covers Mangochi, Zomba and Balaka districts, has reported that the pest had attacked 4 523 hectares (ha) as of January 10 2025.
In Mzimba North and Rumphi District under Mzuzu ADD, the African Armyworms have ravaged 394ha while in Ntcheu under Lilongwe ADD, 764ha of crops have been affected.
The armyworms have also attacked 177ha of crops in Phalombe and Chiradzulu districts which are under Blantyre ADD.

in this file photo. | Lovemore Khomo
In an interview on Wednesday, Salima district chief agriculture officer Ruben Banda said out of 42 717ha of maize planted, 16 120ha have been affected while 933ha of rice have been attacked out of 2 406ha planted.
Said Banda: “The government has supported us with 90 litres of chemicals, but there is a need for about 1 000 litres to control the pest.”
In the Shire Valley ADD, African armyworms have been reported in Nsanje District where the pests have ravaged a total of 362ha of various crops, including maize, sorghum and millet.
Shire Valley ADD crops officer Joseph Mtewa said out of the affected area, 333ha need to be replanted.
Said Mtewa: “A total of 1 069 farm families have been affected by the pest. The affected area has already been supported with 25 litres of pesticides such as Denzo for the control of these migratory pests.”
The Ministry of Agriculture earlier indicated that weather conditions characterised by a few rainy days followed by sunny days were a breeding environment for the pest.
Last week, the ministry’s Department of Crop Development director Elida Kazira said the outbreaks were being controlled by spraying the affected fields and bushes.
“We have installed pheromone traps to forecast the outbreaks of both African and fall armyworm so that the outbreaks are detected as early as possible,” she said.
Speaking yesterday, agriculture expert Tamani Nkhono-Mvula said chemicals are only effective when the worms are still on the leaves because when the worms enter the stem, the only option is to uproot the plant.
He advised farmers to report quickly to agriculture extension workers once the worms are detected.
“In a field attacked by the worms, it is advisable that farmers should crop-rotate the following year to break the cycle of the armyworms,” said Nkhono-Mvula.
For the long term, he said authorities should invest in research to understand how other countries deal with the armyworms.
African armyworm outbreak refers to the presence of large numbers of caterpillars that damage cereals and if left uncontrolled, they can damage entire fields.