Department of Agriculture clarifies that the spotted locusts in several parts of the county are not Desert Locusts and no need for panic. Photo: MOA.
The Department of Agriculture in Marsabit County has assured farmers no need to panic, as the spotted locusts are not destructive Desert Locusts, but tree locusts.
While addressing the media, Deputy Director in the department Hassan Charfi, confirmed that the department has received reports of infestation of Desert Locusts in a few areas within the county.
However, Charfi clarified that the identified locusts are not desert locusts but tree locusts, and are not destructive as desert locusts. He further stated that the situation has not reached the stage of containing them, as required by the government and Ministry of Agriculture.
“The ones reported are tree locusts that have infested different areas in the county. But according to the national guidelines, there is a level that is required to control the infestation, as it requires more equipment and it is expensive, but the situation in Marsabit has not reached that level,” Charfi confirmed.
The tree locusts have been spotted in Dukana, North Horr and Mt. Kulal, are only found in trees, unlike Desert Locusts that travel for long distances in search for food and always spotted in swarms.
According to Charfi, Desert Locusts are more destructive, as they feed on every thing within their reach, not only destroying the environment, but also posing a threat to food security in places they land. He explained that the two are however controlled using the same methods.
“We have lived with these locust for are awhile, and they are localized in different tress and parts, but for desert locusts they move in swarms, 104km in a day. It is more worrying when they land in a particular area, because they feed on every vegetable where they land, as they are very destructive,” Charfi explained.
Charfi added that the desert locusts often migrate from the Horn Africa, and adults locust are usually identified as immature, which are pink in colour, while mature locusts are bright yellow in nature.
Earlier, residents of Malabot area in North Horr Ward Marsabit County had decried after being overwhelmed by desert locusts. The on and off rains had formed a good breeding ground for them.
The residents explained that the desert locust infestation had been caused by the recent short rains experience in the area, and later dry conditions, which formed a good condition for them to breed. Following the infestation a residents said that their livestock will miss on something to feed on.
