15 Jun 2020

There is need for concerted efforts between government and farmers in the control of the African Migratory Locust, Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Dr Edwin Dikoloti has said.

Dr Dikoloti said this during a tour of some fields in the Okavango sub-district to assess and engage farmers on the damage caused by locust recently.

“Indigenous knowledge on the behaviour of locust by community forefathers could be of great importance,” he said.

He said the African Migratory Locust was difficult to control when it was fully grown and flying, hence encouraged farmers to promptly report sightings of hoppers to relevant authorities.

Dr Dikoloti said there was also need for the country to work on some extensive research to have some beneficiation of locust, citing an example of making chicken feeds.

Nonetheless, the minister commended the team that had been dispatched in the Okavango sub-district to control the locust spread. The team comprised officers from various districts such as Central, North East, Ghanzi and South East among others, something the minister said was a wise move to have different offices working together in an effort to eradicate the African Migratory Locust.

Meanwhile, the outbreak of the African Migratory Locust was first reported on February 9 this year in areas of Gumare and it was said to have had spread to Shakawe, Beetsha and Mogotho, among other areas. 

One of the farmers in Xhurube, Mr Yanyika Kao said this year had been bumpy for many farmers in the region and  his farm was one of the most affected by the locust, resulting in poor yields.

Ngami MP, Mr Caterpillar Hikuama said though they appreciated efforts by government in the control of locust spread as people of Ngamiland, they would appreciate more if government considered compensation for those whose fields were most affected.

He also said Ngamiland was prone to misfortune such as foot and mouth disease, drought, Tsetse fly, lung disease and the amblyomma tick, among others.

Mr Hikuama also pleaded with the minister to find cattle market for Ngamiland people since they were in an FDM red zone area and could hardly sell their cattle. Ends