“We have no fear from FAW but we wait for one or two showers” farmers

• Eritrea: No damage reported from Fall Army Worm

All Eritrea’s summer crops are in a satisfactory condition thanks to the good rainfall distribution all over the country. Most of the crops are at seed setting stage and are waiting only for small amount of rain for their final maturity.

Crop assessment conducted very recently in all Eritrea’s regions indicates major crops have escaped Fall army worm infestation and are safe from any FAW damage.

The preventive strategy implemented during the off season was extremely crucial and is being commended by many Eritrean farmers.

“Initially we were very much afraid if we would be able to harvest any kind of crop due to the FAW threat. We strictly followed all the guidelines given by the government in mass media and in various gatherings” said Mr. Yihdego Zeratsion, a farmer from Debri, Logo Anseba sub-region.

He continued, “we uprooted and burnt all FAW infested maize plants during the months of February, march and April. Nowadays, thanks to these measures, FAW infestation is almost non existent.”

Mr. Yihdego concluded his comment by saying, “We established a village committee that monitors and reports the daily development of FAW in our village. Now we have no fear from FAW but we wait for rainfall continuity”.

The reports from Pheromone traps planted in target sites indicate that the average male moths being caught per trap per week is declining. The number decreased from 5 in July to 3 in the month of August.

FAW situation by regions;

• Gash-Barka Region

FAW infestation was reported in some farms in the sub-region of Logo Anseba during the month of August. Survey team from the Ministry of Agriculture head quarters and the region visited the site and confirmed the infestation was very few and has no impact on yield loss. Similar reports were received from the sub regions of Shambuko and Goluj in the same month. A survey team from the region was sent to the sites. The report from the survey team indicates the situation is quite calm and farmers in the sites had full control over the situation. No FAW incidence was reported in the rest of the region.

Crop rotation and intercropping were practiced in the sub-region of Logo Anseba and were helpful in minimizing Fall armyworm infestation.

A total of 1300 hectares of maize were planted in the sub-region of Logo Anseba and 85 hectares in the sub-region of Shambuqo. The maize plants are now at fruiting stage and no significant FAW damage is expected from now on.

Eventhough Gash Barka region covers the largest crop land in the country, on average only 1 male moth was caught per trap per two weeks. However, highest vigilance is needed in this region since the rainy season is still ongoing.

• Debub Region

Reports from the region witness that FAW infestation is very insignificant to cause any kind of crop damage. The reports noted also the FAW favorite maize crops, planted in a total of 9182 hectares of land, reached maturity. In the month of August, the male moth -catch report remains low, only 6 male moths were caught per pheromone trap per week in Debub region.

• Anseba Region

This summer, Anseba region reported that there is around 741 hectares of land planted with maize, the FAW favorite crop. However, only insignificant number of FAW was detected in few sub-regions.

The overall report from the region indicates, on average, only 5 male moths were caught per pheromone trap per week, a bit lower than that of the last month.

• Northern Red Sea Region

FAW infestation was reported in the sub region of Gindae in administrative regions of Adi-roso, Leaitien and Mai-habar in August. The threat is now minimized after necessary measures were taken.

Only 2 male moths were caught per trap per week in this region. Since, the main rainy season of the region is coming in the winter season, intensive scouting and monitoring need to be put in place in the coming months. So far, only around 100 hectares of land is planted with maize.

• Maekel Region

Very few FAW infestations were seen in this region and the incidences are insignificant.

Almost no yield loss is expected due to FAW. In this reporting month, only 2 male moths were caught per trap per week in the region. The number declined by half when compared to that of the previous month.

• Southern Red Sea Region

This month also no FAW incidence was reported from this region. It is to be noted that the FAW pheromone traps distributed in the region never caught any male moth.

Ministry of Agriculture