Zimbabwe mandates fall armyworm seed treatment in new maize certification law

The Government of Zimbabwe has enacted new regulations requiring all certified maize seed to be chemically treated against fall armyworm, a move aimed at strengthening national food security and curbing the destructive pest's impact on maize production.

The directive is contained in Statutory Instrument 5 of 2025, which amends the Seeds (Certification Scheme) Notice, 2000. It places a legal obligation on seed houses to treat maize seed with pest-control chemicals before certification and sale.

"It is hereby notified that the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has, in terms of section 28j of the Seed Act [Chapter 19:13], made the following regulations," the official notice reads.

The amendment, under paragraph 11 of the Third Schedule, explicitly states:

"All certified maize seed shall be treated with a recommended and effective seed dressing chemical for the control of fall armyworm. The chemical must contain a combination of a diamide and a neonicotinoid in flowable solution or an equivalent chemical with proven efficacy."

To ensure accountability, the regulation further mandates that only chemicals registered and approved by the Ministry may be used. Seed lots that do not meet these conditions will not be permitted for sale or distribution as certified seed.

The statutory change compels seed producers to upgrade their seed treatment systems and logistical frameworks to ensure compliance ahead of the upcoming planting season. Industry observers say the regulation marks a significant departure from previous voluntary standards and reflects growing pressure to implement science-based, preventive pest control.

"This is a long-overdue step that brings science into the certification framework," said agronomist Ms Monica Maseko. "By treating seed at the source, we reduce the need for costly pesticide sprays later and help smallholder farmers, in particular, manage fall armyworm more effectively."

She added that the measure will improve early germination success, reduce field vulnerability during critical early growth stages, and promote integrated pest management (IPM) practices.

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, is an invasive pest that first appeared in Africa in 2016 and has since spread across the continent, including into Zimbabwe. It poses a serious threat to maize, the country's staple crop, and has the potential to cause annual losses of 8.3 to 20.6 million tonnes continent-wide, according to the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).

The pest is particularly dangerous due to its rapid breeding cycle - 10 to 12 times a season - and its ability to recur even after pesticide application. Its larvae aggressively feed on maize leaves and reproductive tissues, causing yield losses of up to 30 percent in poorly managed fields.

The fall armyworm can also indirectly harm livestock by invading pastures, potentially poisoning cattle through contaminated grazing.

The government's latest move has been welcomed by agricultural experts and stakeholders, who view it as a crucial policy shift in Zimbabwe's bid to build resilience into food production systems.

"We are moving from a reactive to a preventive approach," said Maseko. "This regulation ensures that farmers get seed already primed to resist fall armyworm. It's a win for productivity and a win for farmer confidence."

She urged policymakers to complement the regulation with awareness campaigns, farmer training, and distribution oversight to ensure that treated seed reaches all corners of the country.

In the long term, the regulation is expected to protect farmer investments, improve maize yields, and position certified seed as a reliable input within Zimbabwe's broader agricultural value chain.

As fall armyworm continues to threaten food security across the region, Zimbabwe's decision to embed pest control in the seed certification process could serve as a model for other countries battling similar infestations.