The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform (MAFWLR) have cautioned the public on an outbreak of the African Migratory Locust (Locusta migratoria migratorioides) that has been detected in several parts of the Zambezi region. The locusts were spotted and observed by the end of October.
Locusts have been reported in Itomba, Kasaya, Kabbe, Ngoma, Bukalo, Katima Mulilo, Masokotwani, Chichimani, Linyati, Sangwali, Ibbu, and around Lake Liambezi, where they are affecting grazing lands. The outbreaks comes at a critical time as ploughing in floodplains and river fields has already commenced, with general ploughing activities expected to begin next month. The locust populations are currently observed in both the hopper and flying stages.
This outbreak poses a serious threat to crops, grazing areas, and national food security if not controlled promptly. In response, the Ministry has deployed surveillance and spraying teams to affected areas to carry out control operations with immediate effect. These effects will continue until the situation is brought under control.
Farmers are urged to cooperate fully with extension officials during the spraying campaign to ensure effective containment of the outbreak. The Ministry has further called upon all farmers and the general public to remain vigilant and to report any locust sightings immediately to the nearest Agricultural Development Centre (ADC), Constituency Office, or directly to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform.
MAFWLR also appeals to Government Ministries, Parastatals, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other stakeholders to support control efforts by contributing available resources. The Ministry emphasizes that this outbreak poses a serious risk to national food security, particularly as the cropping season approaches.
