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Message: [QUOTE="Nehanda, post: 23553, member: 2262"] The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development has a warning for farmers. They say to watch out for African armyworms, which have been seen in some parts of the country. African armyworms come from nearby countries like Zambia, Uganda, or Tanzania. Strong winds carry them from place to place. In recent years, they have caused big problems for farmers in Zimbabwe. The Ministry says the armyworms are in the Mashonaland East and Central provinces. They are hurting crops like maize, sorghu,m and pastures. The government has sent chemicals and sprayers to help control the pests. Armyworms are hard to get rid of once they arrive. They travel in big groups at night. The wind pushes them along. They like wet areas and lay many eggs very quickly. One female can lay up to 800 eggs in just five weeks! These pests have a huge appetite. If farmers don't stop them in time, they can eat a whole field of crops in one night. Young armyworms are tiny and hard to see. It's best to look for them in the early morning or evening. The Ministry wants farmers to check their fields often so they can act fast if they find armyworms. This will help prevent the pests from causing too much damage. Since it's getting late to plant maize, the Ministry suggests other crops instead. Farmers can try planting beans, sweet potatoes, African peas, or traditional grains, which grow faster. Farmers should also plant different kinds of crops at different times. This spreads out the risk of losing everything to pests or bad weather. The government has sent special teams to help farmers deal with armyworms. These experts know how to control the pests and are ready to assist any farmers who need it. [/QUOTE]

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