Beetles attack Mkushi soya beans

CHAMBO NG’UNI
Kabwe
BEETLES have invaded 1,300 hectares of soya bean fields in Mkushi district sending farmers into panic over their yields.
Mkushi district acting agriculture coordinating officer Patrick Mutale and District Commissioner Jonathan Kapungwe confirmed the presence of the pests in separate interviews yesterday.
Mr Mutale said 600 smallscale farmers in Masansa and Lwelo farming blocks are worst affected by the invasion.
He said unlike fall armyworms, which attack maize, beetles mainly attack legumes.
And Mr Kapungwe said he inspected some affected fields last week, describing the invasion as worrying.
“It’s quite a good number of farms in Masansa, Chikupile, Matuku (and) Nchiso. The situation is not pleasing and they (pests) are eating and damaging soya beans,” he said.
Mr Kapungwe said stakeholders should intervene because most affected farmers are incapacitated and, therefore, cannot afford to buy chemicals to eliminate the beetles.
He said during the last farming season, the number of fields that were affected by the pests was low compared to the current season…https://enews.daily-mail.co.zm/welcome/home