If there is anything the last two years have taught us it is that, as a country, we are particularly vulnerable in terms of food security. A prolonged drought left millions of people dependent on inadequate relief food. Entire herds of livestock â€" the lifeline of many communities â€" were wiped out, rendering many people destitute. And they are still struggling to rebuild their lives. It was against this background that the meteorological department's forecast of enhanced short rains was welcomed across the land.

WHEN THE RAINS EVENTUALLY came, it was clear that some areas like Ukambani that had borne the brunt of the drought would realise a bumper harvest that would ensure that residents had enough food in the coming years. We' specifically talk about Ukambani because, as we report elsewhere in this newspaper, army worms â€" as well as American ball worms â€" have invaded fields where maize and beans are maturing. Army worms are capable of destroying thousands of acres of crops with great speed, and this is what worries farmers in Ukambani.

While it is tempting to view the worm invasion as a problem peculiar to certain regions in Ukambani, it could be only a matter of time before the pests move elsewhere to unleash more destruction. Some fundamental truths must be dealt with here. First, communities that have been adversely effected by drought are at their most vulnerable, having spent practically all their resources to feed themselves and their families. They have also spent vast sums of money to prepare and plant their crops, not to mention long hours of back-breaking labour.

Secondly, available information indicates that there is a clear pattern that precedes an invasion of army worms. After a long dry period, these pests are likely to surface after it rains. IT, THEREFORE, FOLLOWS THAT government departments, and specifically the ministry of Agriculture, should have surveillance systems in place. These would include technical staff on the ground sending out alerts to facilitate timely intervention.

Such measures need clearly defined and swift escalation mechanisms to avoid situations that could lead to more suffering by already impoverished sections of the populace. Ideally, there should be stocks of pesticides at either the divisional or district level under the management of the pest control unit.

This would enable quick deployment of staff and chemicals once the pest threat is identified. As things now stand, in those areas where the army worm has been detected, farmers have been left to their own devices, which amounts to gross negligence by the government and the line ministry.

A situation where crop scientists on the ground are wringing their hands in helplessness should not be prevailing in a country with a perennial food deficit. The government has little choice but to mobilise all the resources at its disposal to ensure that farmers in the affected areas do not lose their crops to a problem that could be solved through spraying of insecticides. It will be sad, indeed, if these folks have to contend with the prospect of hungry days ahead after such hard work.