Malawi: Ministry of Agriculture gives tips on tomato disposal
In a statement signed by Secretary for Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Erica Maganga the Ministry is advising farmers, traders and consumers to follow Integrated Pest Management practices as the pest is regarded as of high economic importance as it has been reported that it can destroy the crop 100 percent.
"There are a number of ways how the pest is spread but most importantly the adult moth flies from one place to another and are assisted to cover longer distances by the wind.
"The caterpillars are spread through movement of infected plants or fruits, with fruits being the most common and fast method of spreading the pest to far and wide places," Maganga explained.
She is urging farmers and traders to bury all tomato fruits infested with the pest in soil and not just throw them away, to avoid the caterpillars in the fruits from developing into adult moths which can later get into the fields.
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