Desert Locusts invasion still a challenge in East Africa

It’s easy to believe that Desert Locusts could have ended their ‘attacks’ onto the East Africa region but experts have different news. The swarms are still active; and the region is already experiencing ‘a second cycle of Desert Locust invasion’ – Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries officials have revealed.
The swarms are said to be active in Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya; and numerous immature one were sighted in northern and central parts of Kenya – where at least 17 counties are affected, according to Charlotte Kemigyisha -the Public Relations Manager at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries -MAAIF.
She noted that other affected counties share boundaries with Uganda in the areas of Turkana – the reason Kenya has remained on high alert for the pending second cycle of Desert Locusts’ invasion.
“And as such, Uganda is equally on a high alert following the Desert Locusts situation in neighbouring Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia,’noted her
As one of the ways of reacting to any possible invasion, MAAIF and partners will maintain field surveillance teams as well as stocking up on required supplies should Uganda receive new swarms of Desert Locusts, according Kemigyisha.
Partners, FAO – Uganda have procured assorted items including vehicles, Mobile Storage Units (MSUs), surveillance kits, personal protective equipment (PPE), Spray pumps, motorcycles to support the desert locust
control efforts – and the same will be handedover to the line ministry officials this Friday in Soroti, where a technical Desert Locust Response team and the FAO Representative in Uganda will be in attendance. The Hon. Minister of Agriculture will preside over the occasion.