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FAO: Fall Armyworm interventions in Cabo Verde

In Cabo Verde, the Fall Armyworm (FAW) was first observed in April 2017 and to date, all the farming islands are affected. In the absence of mitigating measures, losses could reach 50% of the annual production estimated at 5 200 tons at a cost of EUR 2.6 million.

Duration 8m49s

Edit Version International

Video Type Video News Release (VNR)

Date 02/13/2018 9:16 AM

File size 652.30 MB

Unique ID UF2T2K

All editorial uses permitted

Production details and shotlist

UNFAO Source FAO Video

Shotlist LOCATIONS: Cabo Verde: Islands of Santo Antão, São Nicolau, São Vicente, Santiago

DATE: December 2017

AUDIO: Natural, Portuguese

1. Young girl with a corn cob - São Nicolau Island

2. Drone shot of cultivated landscape - Santo Antão Island

3. SOT JOÃO RIBEIRO, Farmer, Lombo Branco, Santo Antão Island:

00.12 Before August [2017], there was already an outbreak of a worm, that was called Fall Armyworm.

00.23 It was localized in small plots near the houses and that worm started to spread out to all agriculture lands.

00.29 It was really concerning because it was said in the radio that it would fully destroy our plantations. Indeed, it challenged all the production.

00.43 Then farmers started to feel demotivated. Maize is one of the staple crops in Lombo Branco and it is fundamental for feeding the population.

4. Drone shot of landscape - Santo Antão Island

5. Maize field - São Nicolau Island

6. SOT MARIA ARAÚJO Farmer, Cabeçalinho, Farmer, São Nicolau Island:

00.57 We had a great loss because we had already planted maize and it was almost ready [to be harvested]. [Extension workers] told us to cut our maize because of the Fall Armyworm.

01.12 If we would put it in sacks, it won’t be less than 10 sacks of maize.

00.16 We can calculate the huge losses. Each kg. of maize is 150 escudos (1.5 dollars). Now we don’t even have seed to grow maize in the drylands.

7. Drone shot of landscape / various - São Nicolau Island

8. SOT MANUEL DINIS, Farmer, Juncalinho, São Nicolau Island

01.31 Fall Armyworm is very dangerous because it damages the maize a lot. It spawns on the maize leaves. In a period of 4 to 5 days it turns into a worm and it devours the maize.

01.44 Then it enters into the maize cartridge and completely spoils the plant. It's a fairly new pest. 01.51 Considering that I'm the oldest farmer in Juncalinho, I've never seen it here.

01.54 I had been trained in this matter, I warned the people, who called me to check, and I recognized that it was exactly the Fall Armyworm.

9. Detail of damaged corn leaf - São Vicente Island

10. Drone shot of cultivated landscape - São Vicente Island

11. SOT SATURNINO SANTOS, Farmer, Chã d’Holanda, São Vicente Island:

02.11 As the pesticides are expensive, we cannot always buy them to apply [in the maize].

02.15 Then, for example, we take the leaf of Neem or Datura that is another plant that also can help. We also use the tobacco plant that is very strong.

02.22 We put them in a jar of water and leave them for 2 to 3 days. Then we place that water into a bomb and we start to apply it into the maize [field].

12. Saturnino walking into maize field

13. Detail of maize plant

14. Drone shot of cultivated landscape - Santo Antão Island

15. SOT ANTÓNIO RITA, Rural Extension Worker, Afonso Matinho, Santo Antão Island

02.42 I noticed the presence of [Fall Armyworm] moths and some eggs deposited in the maize.

02.50 When I realized that it was becoming increasingly serious, I took a sample to the Ministry of Agriculture and the technicians explained to me that it was a new plague in Cabo Verde and that it already would probably be in Santo Antão.

03.05 I had a positive effect with the BT [Bacillus Thuringiensis] treatment.

03.11 With the arrival of the blossom, its effect became more visible. It prevented the entry of moths in the middle of the maize field.

03.22 I thought about removing the plantation because I would not have any financial return.

03.28 However, with treatment, [the situation] improved and I decided to keep the plants.

03.35 Thus,the damage was only around 20% of the plantation. This compared to the news that the damage could reach up to 60%, 80% or even 100%.

03.46 Thanks to the quick intervention, I got a quite satisfactory result.

16. Drone shot of landscape – Santiago Island

17. SOT CELESTINO TAVARES, Plant Protection Technician, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (Santiago Island):

03.57 Probably from March to April 2017, Fall Armyworm appeared in irrigated perimeters in maize crops in Santiago Island.

04.05 When the time for maize sowing in the drylands arrived and the crops germinated, the first worm attacks appeared.

04.14 The Ministry of Agriculture prepared a national plan to combat Fall Armyworm and it has already started to be implemented.

04.20 It is made up of a set of components. One of them is the biological control, resorting to natural enemies that are going to be introduced.

04.27 In a second stage, the chemical control will be used, but we would need to import pesticides. 04.32 Then, we will prefer local biological pesticides such as BT [Bacillus Thuringiensis], or other natural ones, such as Spinosad.

18. Detail of maize plant – Santiago Island

19. SOT LUCIANO FONSECA, FAO Representative Assistant for Program (Santiago Island):

04.43 The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) project intervention focuses on enhancing the competences of the technical staff of the Directorate-General for Agriculture, Forestry and Livestock (DGASP)

04.52 to promote and implement a National Integrated Program to combat Fall Armyworm, create a surveillance and monitoring system,

05.01 and strengthen the capacity of smallholders in biological control, through the establishment of Farmer Field Schools. FAO also intends to develop biological pesticide efficacy tests to control the Fall Armyworm.

Santiago Island:

20. Field of baby maize plants

21. Drone shot of landscape with sea in the distance

22. Men inspecting and taking photos of baby maize plants in a field

23. Detail of plant damaged by Fall Armyworm

24. CU of worms on the palm of a man’s hand

25. WS maize field

26. CU worm on maize leaves

27. Man walking through maize field

28. Drone shot of barren landscape

29. Detail of information leaflet

30. Drone shot of landscape

31. Detail of wilted maize plant

32. Drone shot of houses by the seaside

33. Drone shot of coastal line

34. Drone shot of maize fields

35. Farmer at work in maize field

36. Detail of worm on maize leaves

37. Men spraying maize field

38. Drone shot of landscape with houses and maize fields

39. Detail of worm on a man’s hand

40. Men inspecting damaged maize field

41. Drone shot of landscape

42. CU maize damaged plants

43. Drone shot of landscape

44. CU plants

45. Drone shot of cultivated landscape

46. Man inspecting damaged maize plant

47. Detail of damaged maize plants / various

48. Drone shot of landscape

49. WS of maize field

50. Men inspecting damaged and infested maize plant / various

51. Drone shot of landscape

52. FAO Representative inspecting a maize field

53. Maize field

54. Drone shot of cultivated landscape / various – Santiago Island

55. Detail of maize leaves infested with Fall Armyworm

ENDS

Script In Cabo Verde, the Fall Armyworm (FAW) was first observed in April 2017 and to date, all the farming islands are affected. In the absence of mitigating measures, losses could reach 50% of the annual production estimated at 5 200 tons at a cost of EUR 2.6 million. FAO is supporting the country in its control and mitigation actions against the FAW infestation, while mobilizing other partners in order to further assist Cabo Verde. This video production aims at showing the expansion of the FAW invasion through several islands and collecting some testimonials of small-scale farmers suffering from the consequences of the FAW infestation and its impact. The farmers talk about food security challenges, financial losses, indigenous solutions and positive effects of biopesticides. It also showcases the joint efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Cabo Verde and FAO to combat the infestation, which include facilitating the setting up of a monitoring system, and organizing trainings of field officers and farmers on integrated pest management, as well as developing biopesticides efficacy tests to control the Fall Armyworm.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), on February 16, 2018, launched a comprehensive guide on the integrated pest management of the FAW on maize.

Designed for Farmers Field Schools, the guide will help smallholder farmers and frontline agricultural staff to manage FAW more effectively amidst fears that FAW may push more people into hunger. Central and Southern Africa are particularly on high alert, as the main maize growing season is currently underway in these regions.

Please visit www.fao.org for more information.

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