Farmers in Kesses Sub County on Thursday received chemicals to help them eradicate fall army worm pest that has attacked most farms. 

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David Kebenei, the Sub County administrator together with officers from the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries distributed the chemicals procured by the county government to farmers whose farms had been attacked by the worm. 

Speaking during the exercise, Kebenei said farmers should alternate products with different active ingredients, preferably after two applications to prevent pesticide resistance development.

“Spraying should be done late in the evening or very early in the morning when the larvae are active," he advised.

The farmers are required to direct the spray to the plant whorls (funnel) and top leaves and repeat spraying two to three times to target young larvae that emerge after earlier sprays. 

This can be done at two weeks intervals or as guided by scouting observations. 

The Sub County crops officer Mrs. Kandie encouraged the farmers to monitor their farms to identify the pest early enough and spray it before it causes more damage.

“Farmers should look under the leaf and if they spot eggs, spray immediately without waiting until when part of the leaves have been eaten. Spraying immediately helps control the worm and reduce the damage,” she said.