Personnel spraying chemicals to kill armyworms [Photo/the Star]
Kenya could be nowhere near realizing her dream to completely eradicate the fall armyworm menace.
The pest has for some time now been a thorn in the flesh for farmers, especially in maize growing regions, a factor that is also a threat to the entire nation which heavily depends on Ugali as its main dish.
According to the Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) Director General Dr Felista Makini, the campaign is facing financial constraints and may soon collapse without achieving its mission.
''We are having it difficult fighting against the pest because of underfunding and this is a big threat to the campaign,'' she told the press during the first national symposium on fall army worm held in Kitale, Trans Nzoia county Friday.
The forum also brought on board researchers and other agricultural players with the aim of chatting the way forward with regards to the harmful pest.
Currently, the nation's research bodies which have been tasked with the responsibility of coming up with remedies in such scenarios heavily depend on donor contribution.
Recently, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett announced plans to introduce and supply traps to help farmers fight the pest.
This is however yet to be implemented with the worm threatening to clear 100 percent of recently planted crop.