Photo credit: Jasper Raats
An outbreak of African armyworm has been reported across Southern Africa, raising serious concerns over food security, economic stability, and the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers. Several Southern African countries, including Zimbabwe, Malawi, Botswana, Eswatini, and South Africa have confirmed recent outbreaks through their Ministries of Agriculture, prompting urgent calls for coordinated responses to mitigate potential damage.
Understanding the African Armyworm Threat
The African armyworm (Spodoptera exempta) is a highly destructive migratory pest that primarily affects cereal crops such as maize, millet, sorghum, and wheat. The pest thrives under warm, wet conditions and can cause widespread destruction within days, making early detection and rapid response crucial.
The Armyworm larvae will hatch in large numbers and consume vast amounts of foliage, leading to severe crop losses. Once food sources are depleted, they migrate en masse, spreading rapidly across national borders and possibly regions.
Economic and Food Security Implications
The latest outbreak could have devastating economic impacts, particularly for smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of Southern Africa’s agricultural sector. The infestation is expected to:
- Reduce crop yields – posing a direct threat to food security in a region already grappling with climate variability.
- Increase food prices – exacerbating existing affordability challenges, especially for staple grains like maize.
- Disrupt trade and markets – as affected countries implement quarantine measures to contain the pest.
- Strain government budgets – as emergency response efforts require increased spending on control measures, monitoring systems, and extension services.
For example, Zimbabwe, a country already facing high food inflation (105.1% in 2024), risks further economic distress as farmers struggle to control the pest. Similarly, Malawi, where food inflation was recently reported at 36% in January 2025, could see worsening food shortages due to crop damage.
Mitigating the Impact: Regional Response and Control Measures
Governments, agricultural organizations, and research institutions are mobilizing resources to combat the outbreak. Key control measures that are advocated for include:
- Early detection and monitoring – through pheromone traps and surveillance programs to track armyworm migration patterns.
- Chemical and biological control – using approved pesticides and biological agents such as natural predators and pathogens.
- Farmer awareness campaigns – educating farmers on identifying and managing early-stage infestations.
- Strengthening emergency response systems – ensuring swift interventions to prevent large-scale destruction.
Photo credit: Mrs Zinhle Gama. Current situation in some of the farms in the Kingdom of Eswatini.
Recognizing the need for a coordinated regional action, the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) is leveraging its expertise under the Food Systems Resilience Programme (FSRP) for Eastern and Southern Africa to support knowledge-sharing in pest management efforts.
While immediate interventions are underway, long-term resilience against armyworm outbreaks requires integrated pest management strategies, strengthened research collaboration, and sustainable farming practices. Governments, development partners, and the private sector should work together to protect Southern Africa’s food systems.
CCARDESA, through FSRP, remains committed to ensuring that regional knowledge-sharing and climate-smart agriculture play a pivotal role in mitigating future outbreaks, securing food systems, and safeguarding farmers’ livelihoods.
