Placido Hilukilwa
ARMYWORMS have been spotted and are posing a danger to crop fields in at least four constituencies of the Omusati Region. Luckily, torrential rains and natural predators such as birds and chickens are helping to control the pest.
According to Omusati Regional Governor Erginus Endjala, the worms were initially reported last week and have so far been spotted in the constituencies of Okalongo, Anamulenge, Outapi, and parts of Onesi.
He said that the worms pose a serious danger to mahangu crops. “Fortunately,” he said, “it is raining constantly, and when it rains, the worms simply disappear into the ground.”
However, he is urging crop farmers to remain vigilant and to notify officials of the Ministry of Agriculture as soon as they spot the worms.
Endjala said that due to the good rains, mahangu crops are promising, and subsistence farmers expect their first bumper harvest in many years.
