Pests hamper Zambezi farmers’ harvest hopes

Zambezi farmers say the locust and armyworm outbreaks experienced in the region have left them discouraged about having a good harvest this season.

The region has been receiving good rains since late last year, and crop farmers utilised the opportunity to plough white maize, mahangu and sorghum to sustain their livelihoods.

Ministry of Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Land Reform spokesperson Simon Nghipandulwa confirmed the outbreak to The Namibian yesterday, stating that they have been battling the outbreaks since September last year.

He explained that the increase in the pest population is largely attributed to heavy rainfall, which has created favourable breeding and feeding conditions.

“Reports have confirmed the presence of African migratory locusts at both hopper (non-flying) and adult (flying) stages, as well as fall armyworms, which pose a high and immediate threat to crop production and have the potential to undermine household and regional food security,” he said.

He added that the infestation along the Lake Liambezi area is more severe, with visible crop damage and the destruction of grazing land observed in affected areas.

Additionally, the Itomba, Kabbe, Ngoma, Bukalo, Katima Mulilo, Masokotwani, Chinchimani, Linyanti and Sangwali areas are also affected.

“This level of impact presents a substantial risk to cereal and horticultural crops, particularly at the onset of the 2025/2026 cropping season, should control measures not be sustained,” he said.

Nghipandulwa noted that they are busy with control measures to contain and manage the outbreaks as surveillance has been intensified.

He added that scouting teams are identifying and mapping infestation hotspots, while three operational teams comprising 13 trained staff members and five vehicles have already been deployed to affected areas.

“Farmers are urged to report any new infestations immediately to their nearest agricultural development centre,” he said.

Ngoma-area-based farmer James Lutombi yesterday told The Namibian that out of the five hectares of maize he ploughed, he is only left with two at most as his field is infested by locusts.

“I am not sure if the remaining two hectares will survive at this stage because the locusts are just too much.

Agriculture has sprayed my field for the second time now since last year. However, they are back again, and now I am waiting for them to come spray,” he said.

Lutombi added that he will sell the small amount he might harvest in hopes of getting back some of the money he invested in the ploughing process.

Another affected farmer in the Linyanti area, Matengu Simasiku, notes that the government must find a lasting solution to the annual outbreak of locusts and armyworms in the region.

He adds that due to this outbreak, the dream of making the region a food basket will also not be realised.

“We put all our last coins into ploughing in hopes of having a good harvest and making an income.

However, every year our money is going down the drain. The government must also look into compensating us that are affected by these outbreaks,” he says.

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