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Staff Reporter THE Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has announced the outbreak of African Migratory Locusts in the Zambezi Region. Inge Zaamwani, the agriculture minister, said the affected areas include Kasaya, Nakabolelwa, Luhonono, Bukalo, Kabbe, Muyako, Masokotwani, and Linyanti. “The floodplains of Muyako and Old Masokotwani, known breeding grounds for this species, have contributed to the rapid spread. The outbreak has reached both the hopper and flying stages, posing significant challenges to our control efforts,” Zaamwani said. She added that in response, the Agriculture Ministry has deployed three ground teams equipped with three Land Cruiser vehicles, seven mounted vehicle sprayers, and hand-held mist blowers and spraying machines. The teams are currently conducting ground spraying operations in Nakabolelwa, Kasaya, Bukalo, Kabbe, Luhonono, Muyako, Lake Muyako, Ioma, Mutikitila, Ibbu, Masokotwani, Old Masokotwani, and Linyanti. “To supplement these efforts, the Ministry has mobilized additional vehicles from the Directorate of Veterinary Services and the Programme for Communal Land Development. However, the scale of the outbreak demands broader support. I therefore call upon all our stakeholders, other government institutions, the regional councils and local authorities, and the private sector to join hands in this emergency response. We also urge our traditional leaders and the communities in the areas where the spraying is taking place to take precautions, including avoiding contact with the sprayed dead locusts and refraining from consuming or using the locusts for any purpose, and to inform our regional office of any spotted locusts so that the team can respond swiftly. In closing, let me emphasize that the frequent outbreaks of African Migratory Locusts underscore the importance of vigilance, preparedness, and collaboration in safeguarding our agricultural sector,” Zaamwani concluded. Picture for illustrative purposes only. Photo: NBC Digital News
