HUNGRY LOCUSTS SWARMING EAST AFRICA: "Approximately 20,000,000 Africans may face starvation because of the outbreak, and that number could increase to 33,000,000 this spring....".

• Author: Meeme, Verenardo
• Position: Eye on Ecology

LESSONS LEARNED from controlling Kenya's armyworm invasion in the fall of 2019 are being employed to fight the swarms of desert locusts devouring crops and threatening food security in sub-Saharan Africa, says Hamadi Mboga, principal secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture. The first swarm crossed the border from Somalia into Kenya on Dec. 28,2019, with additional swarms emerging from Ethiopia and again from Somalia.

The outbreak was facilitated after heavy rains were dumped by cyclones in the deserts of Somalia, Yemen, and Oman, resulting in ideal breeding conditions that allowed three generations of locusts to proliferate unchecked in regions beyond government control.

Muthomi Njuki, governor of Tharaka-Nithi County, confirmed that there is panic among farmers, especially in areas where locusts already have invaded agricultural fields. In response, farmers have rushed to harvest grains, such as maize and sorghum, erroneously thinking that they will be consumed by locusts. "We advise them that the locusts do not feed on grains and that early harvesting poses a threat to storing cereals with high moisture content, presenting a likelihood of aflatoxin contamination," explains Njuki.

It is estimated it will take at least six months to control the locusts. That means the main crop planting season, which starts in March, is likely to be affected as locusts prefer to feed on the soft stems of new growth, further threatening food security. Ten nations on two continents are enduring the thick blizzards of invading insects, as approximately 20,000,000 Africans may face starvation because of the outbreak, and that number could increase to 33,000,000 this spring, according to the Irish aid agency Concern Worldwide.

Eleven counties in Kenya have been affected by the invasion, according to Peter Munya, cabinet secretary of Agriculture. The government says it has assembled a rapid assessment team in the field to determine the concrete loss on farmers and pastoralists. Lack of regional cooperation in sharing timely information to help plan how to combat desert locusts contributed to the escalation of swarms, Munya indicates.

"The horn of Africa has many challenges and we are not in control of what our neighbors are doing. Even to get information to help you plan is an issue." Countries at war, such as Somalia and Yemen, failed to deploy their usual containment plans--a lapse that escalated the problem, he points out.

"Another challenge identified...