14 February 2025, Zambia: CABI in partnership with the University of Zambia and the Zambia Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI) have hosted a panel to discuss engaging youth for the sustainable biological control of the devastating fall armyworm pest in Zambia.
In recent years, fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), has become one of the most damaging invasive species in Zambia. The pest causes enormous damage to maize, the key staple food for 300 million African farmers, posing a significant threat to food security and livelihoods.
At least 98% of smallholder Zambian farmers are affected by fall armyworm every cropping cycle, leading to significant yield losses. This approximates to an economic loss in the country, estimated at about US $159 million.
Resource-limited smallholder farmers, especially women, are most affected
Resource-limited smallholder farmers, especially women, are most affected as they are most directly dependent on environmental services such as insect pollinators for their crop production and have less access to extension services.
The CABI-led project ‘Village-based biological control of fall armyworm,’ funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) is aiming to increase food security and safety for smallholder farmers in Zambia, by providing nature-based solutions to manage fall armyworm in maize.
One of the main objectives of the panel – led by Deogratius Magero, CABI’s Youth Manager – was to showcase the remarkable progress of youth engagement in the project which is looking to reduce chemical pesticide use by smallholder farmers.
Young people’s representatives from Chirundu and Siavonga districts shared their experiences within the project which has so far empowered over 100 young people across Mumbwa, Chongwe, Chirundu and Siavonga districts.
Since July 2024, CABI has trained 20 young people from these four districts in agribusiness opportunities within agriculture, focusing on biological control, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices and spraying services.
Skills in using a virus to control fall armyworm in maize
The training included technical skills in using a virus to control fall armyworm in maize through the application of FAWLIGEN, the collection of dead larvae from source plots, concoction preparation, and field application.
Furthermore, they learned about a fungus called Metarhizium rileyi and how it kills fall armyworm in the field and how this is currently being studied and tested. Some of the young people engaged are hosting demo plots in their fields for research on biological control of fall armyworm under the project. The young people have been empowered as biocontrol champions in their communities.
As evidenced by presentations of the young people in the youth panel, the project’s training and continued engagement of young people has yielded significant positive outcomes within the young farmer communities.
Disseminating knowledge to over 80 other young people
These include the 20-youth disseminating knowledge to over 80 other young people in their communities in agribusiness opportunities and IPM – collaborating with them to establish maize and vegetable farms.
The training also spurred the formation of farmer cooperatives in all four districts. Three cooperatives have received their registration certificates while the fourth is nearing completion. Two cooperatives have secured land from village headmen for group farming, while the while the other two are utilizing land donated by the trained youth.
Impressively, one cooperative has established a village banking system, facilitating monthly savings and loans among members to support their agricultural activities.
Trained youth and their mentees have established source plots for the biological control of fall armyworm in maize, while others are conducting project trials on their own maize farms with project support.
Transformative impact of the training on their farming practices
Mr Magero said, “During the panel discussion, the young participants emphasized the transformative impact of the training on their farming practices. They highlighted a shift from “blind” planting to a business-oriented approach, conducting market assessments to identify in-demand crops each season.
“This transition reflects a move from traditional agriculture to agribusiness. Furthermore, they have adopted more environmentally friendly pest management practices, such as intercropping.”
One of the youth, Serah from Mumbwa, said, “Before the training, we were just farming blindly. Now, we conduct market assessments to determine the crops in demand before deciding what to grow… We have since improved our earnings.”
Léna Durocher-Granger, project manager and entomologist at CABI’s Southern Africa Centre praised the youth panel for returning to their communities and training their fellow youths, disseminating the knowledge, and empowering their country.
Future needs and aspirations
Looking ahead, CABI, in collaboration with project partners including the agricultural extension officers, will assist the youth cooperatives in developing project proposals for submission to the Zambian government’s Constituency Development Fund, as requested.
The youth have expressed a need for training on pest identification and management in vegetable gardens, access to personal protective equipment (PPE) for spraying, training on local production of manure, commonly known as tea manure to manage the increasing cost of fertilizers and support with irrigation systems to facilitate vegetable cultivation on their cooperative land.
Furthermore, they have requested capacity building in cooperative governance, including training for leaders in management, financial literacy and planning, and assistance in establishing robust management systems for long-term sustainability.
Mr Mageo added, “This project exemplifies youth empowerment in agriculture, with much of the implementation team, including all Zambian agricultural extension officers involved, being under the age of 35. Congratulations to Léna and the entire team for their outstanding work.”
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