Locust outbreak spreads across Erongo and Hardap

A DESERT locust outbreak has been detected in parts of the Erongo and Hardap regions, with warnings that the insects are already destroying grazing and natural vegetation in affected areas.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform yesterday confirmed that swarms have been reported at Homeb in the Walvis Bay Rural constituency, as well as at the Daweb constituency in the Hardap region.

The ministry says the locusts are currently in the flying stage, making control efforts difficult.

“In the Erongo region, locust activity has been observed from the Gobabeb Research Centre along the Kuiseb River, extending over more than 50k within the Namib-Naukluft Park across both the Erongo and Hardap regions,” ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda says.

The ministry says the infestation in the Hardap region stretches from the Alt Duwisib area, about 65km from Maltahöhe towards Helmeringhausen.

It says at least 15 farms covering between 300 and 400 square kilometres have already been affected.

“The swarms observed have an estimated population of between 5 000 and 10 000 insects,” Muyunda says.

He warns that if the outbreak is not contained, the locusts could spread into crop-producing areas and damage horticulture projects and farming activities.

The ministry says teams equipped with vehicle-mounted sprayers have been deployed to control the outbreak and stop the spread into other areas.

It says surveillance and reporting systems have also been strengthened.

Muyunda says the ministry is further engaging the Ministry of Environment and Tourism to coordinate control operations inside protected areas where authorisation for access is required.

Farmers and members of the public have been urged to report sightings to the nearest Directorate of Agricultural Production, Extension and Engineering Services office.

“Early detection and rapid response are critical, particularly while locusts remain in the hopper stage, as control becomes significantly harder once they are fully airborne,” Muyunda says.

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المصدر: The Namibian