Dream Team Agro Consultancy Limited is engaging in mass production of parasitoids through its parasitoid rearing facility at Alupe University in collaboration with the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE). This initiative aims to help farmers produce more maize by controlling fall armyworms; a major insect pest of maize that can lead to up to 100% yield loss. Parasitoids are natural biocontrol agents which reduces pest population with no human intervention. Parasitoids lay eggs on the FAW (fall armyworm) eggs, the larvae and pupa of parasitoids feed on FAW eggs eventually killing it.

Parasitoid rearing  facility  at  Alupe University

Speaking during day 2 of Current and Emerging Threats to Crops workshop organized by Michigan State University in collaboration with Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Current and Emerging Threats to Crops, Frankline Maranga Areba, parasitoid project lead in Busia County addressed the benefits of parasitoids to farmers. He noted that parasitoid is a natural enemy to most caterpillar pests adding that it is cheap, has no resistance to development, no build up of toxins in the food chain and safe to growers, consumers and the environment.

Frankline Areba presenting  During the Current and Emerging Threats to Crops workshop

"The best time to release parasitoids is when the farmer notices the presence of the first moth in the maize field, the egg masses are seen on the leaves usually soon as the plant emerges from the ground about 2 to 3 weeks old. The objective is to start early in the season before it causes serious damage to the crop. It is also important to scout for presence of female moths, eggs or windowing” Frankline Maranga Areba, parasitoid project lead in Busia County.

Dream Team Agro Consultancy parasitoids rearing lab has seen over 30 million egg parasitoids released to 700 maize fields in 11 counties in Kenya. Over 800 small scale farmers are embracing the innovation in the counties of Bomet, Bungoma, Busia, Homabay, Kakamega, Kilifi, Siaya, Trans Nzoia, UasinGishu, Machakos and Vihiga. A chat with some of the farmers who have used parasitoids on their farms and here are their views:

member of the lab team administering  parasitoid in a maize plantation

“I would use parasitoids again and again; it doesn’t affect other non-target organisms and it is safe to farmers. My maize leaves look healthy, fall armyworm is a gone story and I got a bumper harvest. My plea to farmers is to join PlantVillage through Dream Team Agro Consultancy and benefit from their services including parasitoid and biochar fertilizer.” Said Roise Koima from Cheptiret areas, Uasin Gishu County.

“I have managed to have quality and improved yields from my maize plantation, this was only possible because I use parasitoids to control fall armyworm in my farm. Besides, the neighboring plantations talk of low population of fall armyworm insect in their farms. I highly recommend parasitoids to farmers.” Pancras Inyaa, Chakol region, Busia County.

“Last season I used parasitoids, I planted 2kg of maize and managed to harvest 3 bags of maize, the quality was good. This season I didn’t use parasitoids but still I haven’t seen any fall armyworms in my farm. I encourage farmers to embrace this innovation since it is cheaper than chemical pesticides “Pricilla Auma, Butula areas, Busia County.

The use of parasitoid is beneficial to farmers. At PlantVillage through Dream Team Agro Consultancy, we encourage the use of parasitoid wasps to control fall armyworm invasion. At only ksh 500/quarter an acre, text or call us on 0715034782.

By: Mercy Achieng