The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform says floods experienced in the Zambezi region have made it difficult for it to continue spraying locust-infested areas.
A locust outbreak in the Zambezi region has put a strain on the region’s food security, as hundreds of crop fields and grazing areas have been infested by locusts, especially in areas such as Muyako, Chinchimani and Masokotwani, since January.
Agriculture ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda stated in a press release on Tuesday that the ministry has managed to spray 7 124 hectares out of 32 896 hectares identified as infested areas.
He, however, added that spraying done both by ground teams and drones had to be put on hold in March due to seasonal floods.
“The spraying intervention continued until the beginning of March and has since been disrupted by the seasonal floods currently being experienced in the region. We are expected to continue spraying against the locusts once the floodwater has subsided to a level that will allow access to the affected areas,” Muyunda said.
He also said grazing areas for livestock have been heavily impacted by the locust outbreak.
The ministry has sprayed 4 355 hectares of grazing land and 2 769 hectares of crop fields.
“We are monitoring the situation. Our staff members continue to engage with farmers to create awareness on the locust infestation, combatting it, and the withdrawal period for humans and livestock to move away from the sprayed areas,” he said.
Muyunda stated that the ministry has used 13 151 litres of chemicals, which he said are environmentally friendly, to spray affected areas.
“The chemicals are very effective in controlling African migratory locusts and any other pest such as fall army worms and green grasshoppers that were observed in the crop fields of the farmers as well,” he stated.
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