from ARNOLD MULENGA in Lusaka, Zambia
Zambia Bureau
LUSAKA, (CAJ News) – A SWARM of red locusts has plagued western Zambia, impacting on maize yields.
Limulanga and Sioma districts in the Western Province are the epicentre of the crisis.
Rodwel Muntanga, Agriculture Coordinator for Western Province, confirmed that 2 000 hectares, out of 54 000ha, had been infested by the red locusts.
In response to the crisis, Western Province Permanent Secretary, Simomo Akapelwa led a fact-finding mission along with officials from the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), Ministry of Agriculture and the International Red Locust Control Organization (IRLCO) in Limulunga.
The government has declared a disaster and initiated motorized spraying to contain the spread of the pests.
“The infestation poses a severe risk to maize crops if left unchecked,” said IRLCO scientist, Ayoub Nchimbi.
Mwakoi Njekwa, spokesperson of the Western province, allayed fears.
“Government remains fully committed to swiftly manage and contain the red locust infestation in Western Province, to safeguard the region’s food security,” Njekwa stated.
– CAJ News