A few days ago I had the opportunity to visit Kikoneni, a vibrant mixed-farming community nestled along the fertile slopes of Shimba Hills in Kwale county, Coastal region of Kenya. The area is well known for its rich soils and reliable rainfall, making it an agricultural hot spot where farmers grow maize, beans, bananas, mangoes, cassava, tomatoes, kales, and a wide range of vegetables.
What impressed me most is that while many Kenyan farmers operate on small plots of 1 – 5 acres, Kikoneni hosts several farmers who cultivate between 10 to 20 acres or more, especially in maize, cowpea, and coconut production. Their passion for farming, openness to learning, and willingness to adopt new technologies give this community enormous potential to become a model for climate-smart agriculture.
Farmers examine the sand illustration of the zig-zag walk while inspecting for fall armyworm infestations in a maize plantation. Photo Credit: Kataru Concepts.
During my visit, one of the biggest concerns raised by farmers was the fall armyworm, a destructive pest that has caused massive losses across Africa since its arrival. Understanding how urgently farmers needed practical guidance, I conducted a hands-on demonstration on how to identify and scout for fall armyworm, and I referred them to the SAWBO animation video on FAW scouting a simple, clear, multilingual resource developed to support smallholder farmers across the world.
Kikoneni’s farming landscape is a lush mosaic of crops. On one farm you will find maize stretching to the horizon; on the next, beans intercropped with bananas; and a few meters away, fruit orchards or vegetable gardens. The diversity of crops is both a blessing and a challenge. It supports soil health, nutrition, and stable income streams, but poses a challenge because pests like fall armyworm can easily move from one field to another, making early detection and coordinated action absolutely essential.
Given the large-acre production of maize, armyworm control is not just an agronomic task but a food security necessity.
Using the SAWBO animation to introduce fall armyworm Scouting
To guide the farmers effectively, I introduced them to SAWBO’s “How to Identify and Scout for Fall Armyworm” animation and drew illustrations in the sand explaining how a farmer should move around the farm to check for armyworm. The video breaks down the identification process into clear steps:
- How the pest looks at different stages
- Early signs of pest presence
- How to walk through a field systematically
- What damage to look for
- When to take action depending on severity
Because the animation uses simple illustrations, clear narration, and local-language versions, it is a perfect tool for communities like Kikoneni, where farmers prefer visual learning and practical demonstrations.
I encouraged every farmer with a smartphone to install the SAWBO App and download the animation while also accessing hundreds of other animations to help them during their farming practices.
Demonstrating scouting: bringing learning to life in Kikoneni
After watching the animation together, we proceeded to the maize fields for a real-life demonstration.
Some farmers had already seen fall army worm damage but had not fully understood how to conduct systematic scouting. They tended to walk only along the borders of their fields or focus on random plants. This approach often leads to missed infestations, especially in large farms of 10 – 20 acres.
To reinforce the SAWBO message, I showed them how to scout in a structured pattern, a method that ensures every part of the farm is checked. Kikoneni’s red coastal soil made a perfect “sandboard.” Using a stick, I sketched the zigzag scouting pattern recommended in the SAWBO video:
- Start at one corner of the field.
- Walk diagonally toward the opposite side.
- Turn and walk diagonally in the opposite direction.
- Repeat until you cover the entire field in a continuous zigzag while inspecting about 10 maize plants around you at every stop.
As I drew and explained, to the farmers gathered around, nodding and saying they had never thought about scouting as a structured task, they inspected their crops only when they spotted visible damage.
By visually illustrating the pattern in the sand, the concept instantly clicked. The farmers could now imagine how to apply the same pattern in their large fields. One farmer laughed and said, “We walk in our farms every day, but now we see we were walking blindly!”
The zig-zag walk illustration that amazed most farmers during a tour of a maize field in the Kikoneni community, Kwale county. Photo Credit: Kataru Concepts.
Why fall armyworm scouting matters in communities like Kikoneni
For large-scale maize growers, fall armyworm can be devastating. Even a 10–20% infestation can translate into significant yield loss, especially in fields spanning dozens of acres.
Good scouting helps farmers:
- Catch the pest early
- Apply control only when needed
- Reduce costs
- Protect the environment
- Improve yields
- Avoid panic spraying
Kikoneni farmers were particularly excited because the scouting empowers them to take control, rather than reacting after damage has already happened. What stood out during the visit was the spirit of learning. Farmers were eager to:
- Watch the SAWBO animation
- Practice identification
- Understand scouting patterns
- Work together to share information
Several farmers requested that we organize another session during planting season so they can teach their neighbors using the same methods. A young farmer said, “If we all scout properly, the fall army worm will not finish our maize again.”
The visit to Kikoneni reaffirmed a powerful truth: farmers learn best through practical, relatable demonstrations supported by accessible digital tools like SAWBO animations.
As we left the fields that afternoon, I felt confident that the few Kikoneni farmers I met were better equipped to monitor and manage fall armyworm in the coming season. I also resolved to come back as soon as possible with my team and visit more farmers and share SAWBO content.
