18 DISTRICTS HIT BY ARMY WORMS

Acting President Inonge Wina has disclosed that 18 districts have reported the presence of army worms.
Mrs. Wina said 44 thousand 3- hundred and 22 farmers have been affected covering about 34 thousand hectares of land.
She said in order to contain the situation, government has set aside 18 point 6 million Kwacha in the 2019 national budget for control and management of army worms.
Mrs. Wina said in addition, the African Development Bank has committed 3 million United States Dollars for purchase of chemicals used in combating the pests.
So far, about 42 thousand litres of chemicals worth 5-hundred thousand US Dollars have been procured.
Mrs. Wina said in order to quicken the process of controlling army worms, government is working with international institutions who are providing financial and technical support.
She said in addition, government is liaising with SADC member states, especially neighbouring countries that were affected during the 2016/2017 outbreak.
Mrs. Wina has assured the nation that government is working hard to distribute chemicals to all provincial headquarters.
This is according to a statement released to ZNBC News by Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Vice President Stephen Mwansa.

News Source: ZNBC