At least 7, 950 hectors of crops have been affected with fall army-worms in Thyolo district, authorities confirmed.

Chief Agriculture Officer, Mirriam Ndlovu said this represents 15 percent infestation rate of 53,000 hectares of arable land.

According to Ndlovu, they have already encouraged farmers to physically kill and use local remedies to counter the perennial insects, adding that 1,000 liters of pesticides have been spread to all the Extension Planning Areas (EPAs)

Agriculture expert, Ronald Chilumpha, suggested that early supply of pesticides and selling or distribution of already treated seeds to farmers is a way to deal with the recurrent problem which has a bearing to the country’s food security.