Migratory red locusts hit Zambezi Region’s flood plain areas
The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MA WLR) recently announced an outbreak of African Migratory Red Locust in Zambezi region’s flood plain areas.
The African Migratory Red Locusts have been detected and reported, as of 12 August,, in Zambezi region’s flood plains notably at Malindi, Isize, Lusese, Nakabolelwa, Ihaha and Muyako areas, the ministry said in a statement warning the public and farmers.
According to the ministry, farmers in the following areas such as Kapani, Old Masokotwani,
Kanono, and Linyati are urged to be on the lookout and report any detected presence of locusts in their areas to their nearest Agricultural Development Centres (ADC) and Constituency offices.
“Although the summer cropping season has come to an end, the pest poses a serious threat to river field crops and livestock grazing areas,” the ministry added.
As a result of the outbreak, the ministry has deployed a team of Extension officials to assess the situation and started spraying in the affected areas.
“The mninistry will continue assessing the situation to advance the required interventions in order to curb the further spread of the locusts,” they concluded.
