N$40 million for locust control in 2020/2022
Mobile technology in fight against pests
The agriculture ministry has received 40 tablets and 56 smartphones from the Food and Agriculture Organisation for monitoring locust swarms in farming areas.
During the 2020/2021 cropping season, more than 1.4 million hectares were surveyed for the presence of African migratory locusts and brown locusts at a cost of N$40 million.
Agriculture acting executive director Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata said this at a handover of electronic equipment by the Food and Agriculture Organisation to the ministry for locust surveillance. The ministry received 40 tablets and 56 smartphones.
Nghituwamata said Namibia was experiencing more frequent outbreaks of plant pests and diseases because of climate change.
She said these pests harmed crop production, with severe impacts on livelihoods, food security and nutrition, the national economy and trade.
Surveillance needs
“The inadequate national capacity for pest surveillance, monitoring, early warning systems, emergency preparedness and pest eradication, including weak linkages among the relevant stakeholder institutions, are some of the main factors that contribute to the introduction and spread of pests.”
She said African migratory locusts were first reported in February 2020 in the Zambezi Region, followed by a second reported in August 2020 along the Chobe, Linyathi and Zambezi floodplains.
By March 2021, African migratory locust swarms were reported in non-traditional breeding zones covering the north-eastern and north-central regions, while brown locusts were reported in the southern //Karas and Hardap regions.
The start of the current rainy season in September 2021 prompted a resurgence of brown locusts in rangeland areas of the //Karas region.
“These high-impact outbreaks of locusts will compound the already fragile food and nutrition situation in the country,” said Nghituwamata.
Coordinated response
In order to have an effective early-warning system, surveillance should be conducted in a coordinated manner with stakeholders, which involves farmers, she added.
With the support of the FAO, the eLocust3m app was developed to improve early warning through rapid detection and data collection.
So far, 140 technical staff and 244 famers across the country have been trained in surveillance using the elocust3m application.
The affected communities and local locust monitors in locust hotspots will receive smartphones and tablets for monitoring and reporting locust outbreaks to government response teams and extension staff.
“This will enhance surveillance and mapping and control operations, especially with Covid 19 pandemic movement restrictions.
“The ministry will strengthen surveillance mechanisms as well as early-warning and forecasting systems, which are important to alert government and farmers about the presence of locusts,” said Nghituwamata.
Agriculture acting executive director Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata said this at a handover of electronic equipment by the Food and Agriculture Organisation to the ministry for locust surveillance. The ministry received 40 tablets and 56 smartphones.
Nghituwamata said Namibia was experiencing more frequent outbreaks of plant pests and diseases because of climate change.
She said these pests harmed crop production, with severe impacts on livelihoods, food security and nutrition, the national economy and trade.
Surveillance needs
“The inadequate national capacity for pest surveillance, monitoring, early warning systems, emergency preparedness and pest eradication, including weak linkages among the relevant stakeholder institutions, are some of the main factors that contribute to the introduction and spread of pests.”
She said African migratory locusts were first reported in February 2020 in the Zambezi Region, followed by a second reported in August 2020 along the Chobe, Linyathi and Zambezi floodplains.
By March 2021, African migratory locust swarms were reported in non-traditional breeding zones covering the north-eastern and north-central regions, while brown locusts were reported in the southern //Karas and Hardap regions.
The start of the current rainy season in September 2021 prompted a resurgence of brown locusts in rangeland areas of the //Karas region.
“These high-impact outbreaks of locusts will compound the already fragile food and nutrition situation in the country,” said Nghituwamata.
Coordinated response
In order to have an effective early-warning system, surveillance should be conducted in a coordinated manner with stakeholders, which involves farmers, she added.
With the support of the FAO, the eLocust3m app was developed to improve early warning through rapid detection and data collection.
So far, 140 technical staff and 244 famers across the country have been trained in surveillance using the elocust3m application.
The affected communities and local locust monitors in locust hotspots will receive smartphones and tablets for monitoring and reporting locust outbreaks to government response teams and extension staff.
“This will enhance surveillance and mapping and control operations, especially with Covid 19 pandemic movement restrictions.
“The ministry will strengthen surveillance mechanisms as well as early-warning and forecasting systems, which are important to alert government and farmers about the presence of locusts,” said Nghituwamata.
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