Red locusts invade Western Province, ravage 410 maize fields

By BARNABAS ZULU LIMULUNGA is facing a significant threat as a swarm of red locusts has infested over 410 hectares of maize fields in Luena Constituency. Agriculture coordinator for Western Province, Rodwel Muntanga, confirmed that 2, 000 hectares out of 54, 000 in the region have been affected. “The infestation is not limited to Limulunga,” Mr Muntanga said. “Similar crop damage has been reported in the Sinjembela area of Sioma.” In response to the crisis, provincial Permanent Secretary Simomo Akapelwa led a fact-finding mission with officials from the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit, Ministry of Agriculture, and the International Red Locust Control Organisation.  Mr Akapelwa described the situation as a disaster, stating, “The government is committed to managing and containing the red locust infestation to protect the region’s food security.” The government has already begun motorised spraying to contain the spread of the pests. Aerial chemical spraying has been recommended for the affected areas in […]