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Social & Community News
13 April 2018

NW – The Department of Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development (READ) issued a stern warning, alerting the farming community of a possible spread of the dreaded Fall Army Worm (FAW) following the recent rainy weather and a reported rise in the multitude of insects in the North West province. 


FAW infestations have been detected throughout the country with provinces such as Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West as well as the Eastern Cape being affected. The department has received reports mainly in areas of the Bojanala Platinum District.


The Department has developed a plan of action to contain any possible outbreak.

“Agricultural advisors have been trained to swiftly perform rigorous scouting for confirmation of FAW within the suspected areas in the province. In that light, effective and efficient control measures will be rolled out as and when cases are reported.  In doing this the department hopes to avert the spread of FAW and possible economic losses which may be incurred by crop farmers to this effect.


It poses a threat to producers due to the pace at which it is spreading. Although the FAW mainly affects maize plants, it may occasionally attack cotton, wheat, sorghum, soybeans, potatoes and groundnuts.

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