A devastating plague of locusts and armyworms is sweeping across the Old Masokotwani area, threatening to decimate crops and plunge local farmers into food insecurity. Desperate pleas for government intervention are mounting as swarms ravage fields, leaving farmers fearing a barren harvest.
Samuel Jamu, a local farmer, recounted the harrowing experience of witnessing nearly half of his three-hectare farmland devoured by the relentless insects. “The swarms were first observed in early February, and we immediately alerted the Ministry of Agriculture,” he said, his voice laced with anxiety.
The scale of the infestation is alarming. Village headman Jomo Mushe, himself a farmer, expressed grave concerns that his entire seven-hectare crop field could be lost. He highlighted the financial burden on communal farmers, many of whom are still reeling from the devastating drought of 2024 and struggling to afford the necessary pesticides.
“We need urgent action,” Mushe implored, calling for the government to consider aerial spraying as a more efficient method of control. “The ministry’s current efforts are too slow and cannot keep pace with the rapid spread of the locusts.”
The farmers’ desperation underscores the gravity of the situation, where livelihoods and food security hang in the balance. The potential for widespread food shortages looms large, casting a shadow over the region’s future.
In response to the growing crisis, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has deployed a team of ten staff members to combat the infestation. Spokesperson Simon Nghipandulwa assured that control efforts were underway, utilizing vehicle-mounted sprayers and mist blowers.
“We have also procured additional mist blowers and pesticides to bolster our control efforts,” Nghipandulwa stated. “The agriculture ministry will continue surveying the affected areas. We urge farmers to report any sightings of locust swarms to their nearest Agricultural Development Centre for immediate attention.”
However, the farmers’ pleas for aerial spraying highlight a growing sense of urgency and a perceived inadequacy of current measures. As the locusts continue their destructive path, the region watches with bated breath, hoping for a swift and effective response to avert a looming agricultural catastrophe.
