Locusts destroy Zambezi crop fields
KATIMA MULILO – Many crop farmers in Zambezi are on the verge of starvation due to the outbreak of migratory red locusts detected in the region, which have caused havoc in crop fields. The affected farmers expressed fear of severe hunger because of the swarms of locusts which invaded their fields, compounded by the effects of a lack of rain in the region. Rainfall has been below average since January to date, which caused many crops to dry up due to the scorching sun.
On a good harvest, these farmers would produce up to 98 bags of maize, which they sell to the Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency (AMTA) and local millers.
A 50kg bag of maize costs anything between N$300 to N$500.
An affected farmer, 71-year-old Zock Matengu from Kanono, said this year’s drought is unprecedented.
“I am farming in the Kweha area. To tell you the truth, we have never seen such a situation. I am 71 years old, but I have never seen this. If the government doesn’t feed people, they will die. Even I am going to die if we don’t get food urgently. You can plough 20 hectares, but you will get a zero harvest. The problem is there has been no rain since January up to now. Government must come and help us to save lives,” he said.
He ploughed seven hectares, but the locusts have also invaded his field.
The agriculture ministry reported that there is a presence of African migratory red locusts in some parts of the Zambezi region, as well as in the Ohangwena region.
Agriculture ministry executive director Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata said the locusts have been detected and reported from 29 February 2024 in Zambezi; mainly around Lake Liambezi and Old Masokotwani, destroying maize crops.
The ministry found that approximately 10 hectares of crop fields have been destroyed.
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