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In a Zimbabwe study, the pest increased likelihood of hunger by 12 per cent
Farmers need cost-effective, environmentally sustainable control measures, experts say
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Zim Acts On Locust Outbreak
January 25, 2021
Zimbabwe is mobilising resources to take adequate preventive measures following sightings of locusts that swept through parts of Namibia, hitting grasslands, trees and 50 000 hectares of crops recently.
Mr Shingirai Nyamutukwa, head of the Plant Quarantine and Plant Protection Research Services Institute, said recently that his department was mobilising resources to carry out effective locust forecasting and management of locust outbreaks in three provinces: Masvingo, Midlands and Matabeleland North.
Reports from Namibia say the African migratory locusts have damaged at least 50 000 hectares of cropland in that country’s Zambezi region.
The latest wave of locust invasions has hit nine regions and more than 500 square kilometres had been attacked in areas that include Kavango East and Kavango West, an area bordering the north-western tip of Zimbabwe.
Zim braces for locusts threat
Sifelani Tsiko Agric Editor
Resources have been mobilised to minimise the effects of any invasion of the African migratory locust from Botswana and Namibia where outbreaks have been reported.
Shingirai Nyamutukwa, head of the Plant Quarantine and Plant Protection Research Services Institute yesterday said there was an alert following reports of a new round of locust outbreaks.
“Yes, it’s true that Namibia and Botswana are battling another wave of locust outbreaks. The locusts are in all stages from nymphs to adults. We’re keeping check on their control efforts so as to assess risks of invasion into Zimbabwe,” he said.
Zimbabwe on alert amid locust outbreaks in Botswana, Namibia
Published on 18.01.2021 at 14h21 by APA News
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Zimbabwe is on high alert for the African migratory locusts amid reports of another outbreak of the crop-devouring pests in neighbouring Botswana and Namibia, an official said on Monday.Plant Quarantine and Plant Protection Research Services Institute head Shingirai Nyamutukwa said the Zimbabwean authorities have mobilised resources to minimise the effects of an invasion of the African migratory locust from Botswana and Namibia.
“We are keeping check on their control efforts so as to assess risks of invasion into Zimbabwe,” Nyamutukwa told the state-run Herald daily.