Locust outbreak threatens agriculture

An outbreak of locusts along the central Red Sea coast of Eritrea could spell disaster for local crop production. However, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has said that it is still too early to estimate the potential damage to crops in the Horn of Africa.

Recent heavy rainfalls and an increase in vegetation in the region have allowed adults to lay eggs, and small groups of young locusts to form.

FAO officials say that it could another two weeks before the full effect of the outbreak can be determined. In the meantime, the FAO has warned that another generation of breeding is expected which will increase the locust numbers.

Four survey teams are monitoring the areas, and seven teams are undertaking control operations, having treated more than 4,000 hectares since 9 December, the agency said.

The locusts are reported to be breeding near Shieb and Shelshela, and on the northern coast near Mehimet. Small scale breeding has also been reported in the Tokar Delta along the Sudanese coast, and along the northwestern coast of Somalia.

The locust is a species of short-horned grasshopper that can either form part of a swarm of adults, or become a wingless nymph [hopper]. The swarms – which travel up to 130 km a day - can measure from one to several hundred kilometres in length, posing a serious threat to agriculture in Africa.

According to the FAO, locusts regularly cross the Red Sea (a distance of 300 km). A swarm can hold up to 80 million locust adults in each square kilometre, and is capable of destroying a crop field in seconds. A small swarm can eat as much food in a day as 2,500 people.

In 2004, they caused heavy damage to agriculture in several parts of West Africa.

The FAO is trying to control locust outbreaks using a natural fungus which infects locust hoppers, causing them to stop feeding and die in one to three weeks.

eo/jm