Locust-infested Zambezi crop fields sprayed

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has sprayed about 1 965 hectares of locust-infested crop fields in the Zambezi region.

This aims to combat the current locust outbreak following an earlier fall armyworm outbreak and drought, which has threatened food security in the region.

Ministerial spokesperson Simon Nghipandulwa on Friday said the locust outbreak mainly affects maize crops and not mahangu or sorghum.

He noted that the approximately 168 farmers that have received assistance are expected to enjoy a bumper harvest, following good rains.

“It is worth noting that most crops in the region are nearing harvest and are drying out. Therefore, the damage will be minimal going forward, as locusts primarily feed on fresh, succulent leaves. The dry state of the crops should mitigate the potential for further infestation.”

He expressed confidence in the success of ongoing efforts to successfully manage the outbreak.
He further noted that the ministry’s efforts to deploy reinforced teams to assist those in the field aim to ensure sufficient personnel and equipment are available to combat the outbreak.

“Ongoing surveillance and monitoring activities are being conducted to assess the extent of the infestation and track locust movements. This continuous monitoring is essential for adapting control strategies and ensuring resources are deployed effectively,” he added.