12 Oct 2020

The Department of Agriculture will need P500 000 to control and contain the recent African Migratory locust invasion in some parts of  Ngamiland.

Acting regional agricultural coordinator, Mr Kenny Mabote told a special disaster committee meeting that the locust outbreak was reported last week around Mababe and had now spread to the Okavango Sub-district’s Habu and Seronga areas.

He said efforts to control the outbreak at Mababe proved futile as the locusts had multiplied and relocated given that they could travel 50-100km in a day.

Mr Mabote said an investigation team sent to Mababe did not find the pest only to later receive reports of  outbreaks in the Habu and Seronga areas.

Three other teams had been sent to Seronga, Maun and Gumare, he said. 

Mr Mabote said the locust control exercise was going to be financially crippling explaining that the ISPAAD budget was already exhausted.

Stating that the outbreak could last for seven months, Mr Mabote called on all stakeholders to join forces to control the locust  which he said threatened food security.

Failure to control it might lead to the invasion spreading to other districts thereby frustrating farmers’ efforts at a critical time when the ploughing season was approaching, he warned.

Mr Mabote said although the locust had so far only been spotted in wildlife management areas such as parks, it might change direction rapidly because of the wind.

He said it was a pity that the outbreak had occurred since communities were still recovering from the 2019 drought and  economic impacts of COVID-19.

Expressing appreciation for  the P200 000 fleet maintenance funds Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security had pledged, Mr Mabote however said it was inadequate as it would cover 17-19 vehicles only.

He said other departments had been approached to assist with necessary resources such as camping equipment, COVID-19 equipment, mosquito nets, seven trucks and air/boat transport to ensure access into the delta. ends