HARARE, March 12 (Xinhua) -- The Zimbabwean government is grappling with its worst armyworm outbreak in 20 years, and is stepping up efforts to ensure that farmers secure their crops from the pest, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Jenfan Muswere has said.

During a media briefing on Tuesday, Muswere said the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has set up 214 surveillance traps to combat armyworms, which have been ravaging many parts of the southern African country.

All districts now have chemicals on standby to respond to the pest. Sixty trucks, one for each district, have been purchased to ensure a timely response and better preparedness, he said.

Muswere added that 639,809 knapsack sprayers have also been distributed to some beneficiaries of the Presidential Agricultural Input Support Scheme, under which farmers in rural areas are assisted to engage in climate-proof agriculture.

Farmers, who are expecting good harvests following favorable rains during the current agriculture season, have expressed concern that they may lose out to armyworms, which primarily feed on leaves and may also attack maize stalks.

Muswere assured farmers that Zimbabwe's Grain Marketing Board, the country's leading grain trading and marketing entity, currently has sufficient grain to meet the needs of rural communities until the next harvest. Enditem

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