Sign up for our daily Newsletter and stay up to date with all the latest news!

Subscribe I am already a subscriber

You are using software which is blocking our advertisements (adblocker).

As we provide the news for free, we are relying on revenues from our banners. So please disable your adblocker and reload the page to continue using this site.
Thanks!

Click here for a guide on disabling your adblocker.

Sign up for our daily Newsletter and stay up to date with all the latest news!

Subscribe I am already a subscriber

Malawi: Ministry of Agriculture gives tips on tomato disposal

The Malawi Ministry of Agriculture has warned tomato farmers and traders to properly dispose of tomatoes that have been infested with the Tuta absoluta, a pest that is destroying the tomato crop in the country.

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.

Read more at allAfrica.com
Publication date: