By Rosette Nandutu,

The Agriculture ministry has revealed that cases of African armyworms invasion have reduced following the increased rainfall in various parts of the country.

Mr Stephen Byantwale, the director of Crop Resources at the ministry, said that rain cuts the life cycle of the African armyworm and affects their movement adding that reports have started coming down, except for areas in the cattle corridor like Nakaseke, Gomba that haven’t received rain.

By last week, pests had ravaged around 13,000 acres of crops and rangeland in 41 districts amid intervention to kill them using a pesticide called cypermethrin.

Farmers are advised to mix 100 to 120 millilitres of the pesticide in 20 litres of water and apply while observing all the safety precautions such as wearing overalls, masks and gloves. 

Mr Fred Kyakulaga Bwino, the State minister for Agriculture, earlier last week said more than 23,000 litres of pesticides, 100 motorised pumps and 200 sets of protective gear have been distributed to affected districts.