By Seleoe Nonyane
The ministry of agriculture and food security has warned farmers that swarms of locusts may hit Lesotho as they have been reported to be seen in South Africa (SA) earlier this week.
In an interview this week, the ministry of agriculture and food security public relations officer, Lereko Masupha, said the ministry is aware of the reports about large number of swarms of locusts invading some lands in SA.
“News about swarms of locusts hitting South Africa is known by the ministry and that these insects are being seen to be flying to our direction.” Masupha said.
He added that the ministry through plant protection programme, as the name suggests, is to protect the plants from deadly insects and diseases by supplying farmers with necessary resources such as pesticides.
The ministry has already alerted farmers, local chiefs and counselors to inform the communities about the possible invasion of the crop lands by the locusts. Those seeing the insects are advised to contact the ministry immediately,
“The ministry, through plant protection programme, has made our local leaders, farmers associations and counselors aware that locusts have been seen flying in our direction and they may attack at any given time.
“Should they enter the country farmers are advised to immediately contact the ministry’s headquarters and report the matter so that it can assist with mitigation efforts that would contain infestation,” Masupha warned.
Swarming locusts can cause a remarkable damage to plant materials including crops and vegetation, thus hampering livestock livelihood.
