Mamohlakola Letuka
THE Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) says it has partnered with affected countries to develop a framework for a coordinated response to the twin scourges of the Fall Armyworm (FAW) and the Avian Influenza (bird flu).
The armyworm is a moth commonly found in the tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas which feeds on at least 80 plant species. It can cause significant damage and losses of crops such as maize, rice, sorghum, legumes and vegetables.
The pest was first detected in Central and Western Africa in early 2016 affecting Benin, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principle, and Togo. More recently, it has been detected in Burundi, Ethiopia, Ghana, Cameroon, Kenya, Niger, Rwanda and Uganda.
‘Bird Flu’ is a highly contagious disease causing high mortality in poultry which impacts significantly on food security and trade.
Although Lesotho has not had a reported outbreak of either the armyworm or bird flu, the latter, which can also affect humans, has been detected in the neighbouring Free State province in South Africa in June 2017.
And in a recent statement, FAO Lesotho revealed that they were teamed up with affected countries and those that were at risk of both outbreaks.
“In response to this challenge, FAO has teamed up with relevant member countries and other partners to develop a framework for a coordinated response to FAW based on an action plan agreed upon at a multi stakeholders’ meeting in April 2017 in Nairobi, Kenya,” FAO Lesotho Communications Officer Reitumetse Russell said in the statement.
“This framework will put in place support for early warning and assist with the development of projects and programmes by the various stakeholders. An FAO mission on FAW will visit Lesotho in the near future.”
Ms Russell said although Lesotho had not yet reported cases of the FAW, there were concerns that it could affected given the rapid rate of spread of the pest across borders.
“There may be risk from further spread across boundaries. There is a probability that this pest will affect farmers as it is a diffusely distributed pest living in millions of plants across farmers’ fields.” Ms Russell said.
She said FAW outbreaks could ultimately have significant negative impacts on crop yields in the region.
The pest is known to cause extensive crop losses of up to 73 percent and it is difficult to control with a single type of pesticide especially when it has reached an advanced larval development stage.
It can be managed through interventions such as the hand picking of caterpillars and egg masses.
Ms Russell said that FAO was also monitoring the bird flu, adding that the new highly pathogenic strain of the virus was of global concern, especially in Africa.
“Countries affected by Avian Influenza (bird flu) have increased biosecurity measures such as communication campaigns targeting farmers and poultry value chain actors, imposing restrictions on poultry movement or restricting the sale of uncertified chicken products,” she said.
