According to Uganda’s agricultural minister, climate change is to blame for an outbreak of a bug that kills cereals and grazing grassland.
The African army worm, which differs from the fall army worm that devastated crops throughout East and Southern Africa five years ago, has been detected in at least 14 administrative districts in Uganda.
It may be treated with a common pesticide called Cypermethrin, but cows and other animals should not graze on treated areas for one week, according to Agriculture Minister Frank Tuwembaze.
African army worms proliferate rapidly, posing a threat to Uganda’s coffee industry as well as food security in particular homes and areas.
Coffee is one of the country’s most important exports, and the industry has been steadily rebounding in recent years, boosting export numbers and quality.
