The fall army worm which has continued to wreak havoc on many maize plantations across the country. [Photo/CNN]This year's total maize harvest is expected at 31.7 million bags, 29.1 million and 2.6 million bags from the long and short rains harvests respectively.This is due to drought and fall armyworm infestation.Kenya produces an average of 40 million 90kg bags per year against a national demand estimated at 45–50 million bags annually. The deficit of 5-10 million bags is bridged through imports.The revelation comes in as scientists caution farmers that the deadly fall armyworm may continue to attack crops despite the heavy rains.Researchers from the Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) had early this year assured farmers that the rains could suppress or reduce the army worm infestation.The pest has been reported to have attacked the short rains maize crop in South Rift, Nyanza, Mt Kenya and Western counties.Lilian Kirimi, a senior research fellow at Tegemeo Institute, said the destructive pest will lead to almost 100 percent damage to the crop in the counties that enjoy two seasons of maize in a year. In a report 'The Impact of Fall Armyworm Infestation on the 2017 Maize Crop' released last weekend, Kirimi said damage of the short season crop will adversely affect food security, triggering high prices next year."The national and county governments and players in the value chain need to intensify surveillance to protect farmers from losses.We are calling for constant surveillance and concerted multidisciplinary effort to aid early identification and control of field and storage pest," said Kirimi as quoted by the Star.

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