Fighting the locusts

ELLANIE SMITWINDHOEKThe Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) recently donated 1 000 litres of Deltamethrin pesticide valued at N$150 000 to the agriculture ministry in the Zambezi Region.According to the NAB it forms part of its continued efforts in carrying out its mandate of promoting the agronomic industry and facilitating production, processing, storage and marketing of controlled products in Namibia.“As a major industry stakeholder, the NAB's contribution in the fight against the spread of the red locust outbreak in the country is vital.”NAB's manager for agronomy market development, Loide Uahengo, said upon noting with great alarm the locust outbreak in the Zambezi Region, the NAB sent a team to assess the situation early in October. Major threat“The assessment proved that the outbreak was indeed extensive and posed a major threat to household food security in Namibia.”Uahengo said this is because the Zambezi Region produces approximately 5 000 tonnes of white maize and 1 000 tonnes of pearl millet per year, which is sold to registered millers.The chief agricultural scientist in the Zambezi Region, Violet Simaata, expressed appreciation for the donation.“In order to curb the red locust outbreak we will need assistance from all relevant stakeholders.”She said eight constituencies in the Zambezi Region have been affected by the red locust outbreak and the affected area covers 400 216 hectares, which may potentially disrupt the 2020/2021 crop season. Regional problemThe Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) says Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe have been facing a serious outbreak of the African migratory locust since May this year.“Damage to summer crops was limited as harvesting had already occurred. However, irrigated crops, winter crops and the next season of summer crops are now in jeopardy.”About 1.1 million hectares have already been affected, according to the Food and Nutrition Security Working Group (FSNWG).The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has therefore launched a regional appeal for US$20 million for a coordinated response, including financial and technical support, to address the surging impact of African migratory locust in the region.

Fighting the locusts

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Namibian Sun 2025-12-30

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Fighting the locusts

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Namibian Sun 2025-12-30

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