Photo: MAO

A technician sprays insecticide.

Masvingo Bureau — An armyworm outbreak and flooding have destroyed over 10 000 hectares of crops in Masvingo.

The armyworm has destroyed vast tracts of grazing pastures across the province especially in the Masvingo and Zaka districts.

Runaway flooding in the south lowveld caused by incessant rains left a trail of destruction.

The floods swept away maize and sorghum, leaving villagers facing imminent food shortages.

Zimbabwe Farmers Union Masvi-ngo regional manager Mr Jeremiah Chimwanda yesterday confirmed the impending food shortages.

He, however, said the armyworm outbreak was being attended to after the province received chemicals by Agritex's crop protection department in the province.

"The armyworm outbreak caused most damage on crops in Masvingo district where nearly 3 500 hectares of maize were destroyed followed by other districts such as Zaka and Bikita were close to 1000 hectares of maize and other cereal crops were destroyed."