Scientists in Kenya Ally to control the fall army worm

The government has partnered with multinational research organizations to develop an eco-friendly pest management technology to contain the spread of fall army worms in Kenya.

The project which is fronted by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre ( CIMMYT), Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) and ICIPE is on trial phase at Kiboko field station in Makueni County and is expected to be concluded by February 2023.

The Director Global Maize programme at CIMMYT, Dr. Prassana Boddupalli-, said the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) was to encourage farmers in Sub Saharan Africa and Asia where the outbreak of the fall army worm devastated their yields to adopt less toxic and affordable ways of containing the invasive pests.

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CROP PROTECTION: Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus

The yellow dwarf diseases of cereals have now been divided into two groups:

  • Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV)
  • Cereal yellow dwarf virus (CYDV)

They are the most important virus diseases of cereals worldwide. They have a wide host range which includes wheat, barley, oats and over 150 grass species.

The virus is usually spread by aphids from infected grasses to crops. Wet seasons promote growth of host grasses and build-up of aphid vectors resulting in early crop infection, severe symptoms and yield losses. Yellow dwarf viruses (YDV) tend to be more serious in the high rainfall cropping but can as well occur in all cropping regions. The virus is best controlled by monitoring and spraying for aphids early in the season.

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STAK Annual Congress and Mazao Forum 2022

Seed Trade Association of Kenya (STAK)-an umbrella body bringing together all the seed processors in the country, recently held a two-day conference at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization Headquarters (KALRO) in Loresho, Nairobi.

Not long ago, discussions had been held on the need to advance agriculture innovations and technologies that spark growth in food production as well as environmental preservation. Therefore, as a way to further this agenda, STAK invited stakeholders involved in the seed industry including development partners, processors, government officials, machinery suppliers, research institutions, agrochemicals, agro-dealers, farmers, and members of the fourth estate to the 2022 STAK Annual Conference.

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What will I eat today’ vs. ‘will I eat today?’

In reflecting on the second question, I have come to the conclusion that it is time for the public to put their trust in scientists about the role that genetically improved organisms can play in answering it.

It’s sad that Africa continues to lag behind in the adoption of biotech crops 23 years after they were first commercialized. As of 2021, a total of 10 countries in Africa were growing GM crops, according to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications. They include South Africa, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Sudan, Mozambique, Niger, Ghana, Rwanda, Zambia, and Nigeria. The delay is especially tragic since there is more than enough evidence that biotech crop adoption could help tremendously in addressing the challenges of hunger and malnutrition globally.

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