Locust outbreak confirmed in northeastern Namibia
Windhoek: Namibia's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has confirmed a locust outbreak in the country's northeastern Zambezi Region, affecting multiple areas and raising concerns of a possible second wave of infestations.
In a public notice, Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, executive director at the ministry, said the outbreak was first reported in early February following heavy rains and has been observed in the hopper and fledgling stages.
Locusts have been spotted along the floodplains of Ibbu, near the Chobe River, and in about 11 constituencies in the Zambezi Region, she said, adding that significant rainfall has created ideal conditions for locust reproduction.
"We are urging farmers to report any sightings of locust bands or swarms to the nearest Agricultural Development Centre," she said.
Nghituwamata said that the continued presence of green vegetation in northeastern and north-central Namibia, as well as in neighbouring countries such as Zambia, Botswana and Angola, provides favourable conditions for a second generation of locusts.
As vegetation begins to dry, the insects are expected to form groups and potentially move northward in small swarms, she added.
The southern African nation has deployed a team of agricultural officers to the region to control the outbreak using vehicle-mounted sprayers and mist blowers, Xinhua news agency reported.
"We are actively monitoring the situation and carrying out control measures to limit the spread," Nghituwamata said.
Namibia has experienced several locust outbreaks in recent years. In 2020, an outbreak of African migratory locusts affected over 700,000 hectares across the Zambezi, Kavango East, Kavango West and Otjozondjupa regions.
A locust outbreak, particularly of desert locusts, refers to a massive increase in their population and swarming behaviour, leading to widespread destruction of crops and vegetation. These outbreaks, often occurring cyclically, can have devastating impacts on food security, livelihoods, and the economy.
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