Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Zambezi battles locust outbreak

Home National Zambezi battles locust outbreak

The Zambezi region is experiencing another African migratory red locust outbreak which is extensively destroying grazing areas and crops.
In August, another wave of African migratory red locust outbreak was reported in the region and the agriculture ministry deployed a team of extension officials to spray the area.

However, the same pest has been spotted in the same area since last week.
Zambezi regional governor Lawrence Sampofu said there are a lot of locusts in the flood-prone areas of Kabbe North and South as well as Katima Rural. The locust outbreak in northeast Zambezi region was detected in August in the floodplains at Lusese, Nakabolelwa, Ibbu and the surrounding areas.
Even though the summer cropping season has come to an end, the locust poses a serious threat to river field crops and livestock grazing areas.
“We had these locusts in August. It seems those locusts laid some eggs and now they are hatching. They are so many. They are destroying grass and grazing areas,” Sampofu noted.

He said the matter has been reported to the agriculture ministry. According to him, although the ministry is busy spraying in some areas, they lack manpower and protective clothing. He said there is just one spraying team on the ground and it’s difficult to cover the three affected constituencies.
He called on the ministry to allocate more manpower to contain the situation. Once an area is sprayed, livestock cannot graze there for at least 21 days as it’s dangerous for their health.
He stated that although spraying the areas have a negative impact on grazing, the community is cooperating with agriculture officials on the ground. This is the third time the country has recorded a locust outbreak this year. 
– anakale@nepc.com.na