Beyond chemicals: systemic agro‑ecology, climate change and policy reforms needed to curb African armyworm outbreaks
Original framing: “Can a newly discovered soil fungus stop the devastating African armyworm when chemicals have failed?” — The Conversation - Global
Armyworm outbreaks have surged since the 1970s, coinciding with the Green Revolution’s push for monoculture maize and the intensification of pesticide use, which disrupted natural enemy dynamics. Colonial land‑policy legacies also entrenched export‑oriented farming, reducing resilience to pest shocks.
The African armyworm crisis is not merely a biological emergency but a symptom of historic agro‑industrial policies, climate change, and the marginalisation of indigenous agrarian wisdom.
By weaving fungal biocontrol into a broader IPM framework that restores soil health, diversifies crops, and reorients subsidies toward farmer‑led agroecology, we can dismantle the reliance on single‑point chemical fixes. Empowering women, youth, and traditional knowledge holders to co‑produce and disseminate solutions ensures that interventions are socially resilient and culturally resonant. Historical parallels from other continents show that community‑managed biocontrol succeeds when embedded in local rituals and governance, offering a roadmap for Africa. Ultimately, aligning scientific innovation with systemic policy change and indigenous stewardship creates a durable, climate‑smart defence against armyworm and future pest threats.