A swarm of red locust is growing in Zambia’s Central Province while current climate conditions increase the prevalence of these migratory insects. The International Red Locust Control Organisation for Central and Southern Africa (IRLCOCSA) considers it a threat to food security in several of its member states, including Zambia, Mozambique,…
Efforts to contain red locusts in southern Malawi are being hampered by local communities who regard the migratory pests as a delicacy. Local media, however, reports warnings by the Ministry of Agriculture to refrain from eating the insects, went largely unheeded in the Mulanje district. “The red locust, dzombe as…
A swarm of red locust has invaded Southern Malawi where the migratory pests are attacking crop fields, the International Red Locust Control Organisation for Central and Southern Africa (IRLCOCSA) confirmed on Wednesday. As a result IRLCOCSA has put five other members of the six-nation organisation – Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Kenya…
Except for fall armyworm which has already wreaked havoc in southern Africa this year, two more migrating pests and plagues are moving south. It is only a matter of time before others reach Africa. Dr Marinda Visser, Grain SA Manager of Research and Grain Policy, at an Agbiz Grain mini…
The International Red Locust Control for Central and Southern Africa (IRLCo-CSA) has suspended operations to curb the spread of red locusts in the Kafue plains, Central province. IRLCo-CSA director Moses Okhaba says the opening of the Itezhi-Tezhi dam spillway gates caused flooding and the risk that further spraying will contaminate…
The Zambian government released K4.7 million to bolster efforts to bring the plague of red locust under control. The pest has invaded more than 3 000 hectares of maize fields in Central Province’s Itezhi-tezhi and Mumbwa districts. This still left a shortage of more than K5 million needed to effectively…
Red locusts have attacked 800 hectares of maize fields in Central Province. Vice president Inonge Wina has already directed provincial authorities to swiftly coordinate with the International Red Locusts Control for Southern and Central Africa (IRLCo-CSA). According to provincial minister Sydney Mushanga, Itezhi-tezhi and Mumbwa districts are the most affected.…
A red locust swarm covering 20 000 hectares in the Kafue flood plains has been detected by the Ndola-based International Red Locust Control for Central and Southern African (IRLCo-CSA). This gives rise to further threats to this year’s harvest. President Edgar Lungu directed the Treasury to release ZMW1 million to…