Photo: Hotel Kaesong / Flickr
Photo: Hotel Kaesong / Flickr
Well, could we have picked a more fitting end to the year? Let’s be honest, 2020 has been the ultimate ordeal – so in some ways, it only makes sense that the grand finale would involve a plague of locusts in three South African provinces.
Where are the locust outbreaks in South Africa?
Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development Minister Thoko Didiza confirmed that the country is currently experiencing outbreaks of locusts in the Free State, Northern Cape, and Western Cape.
In a statement released on Thursday, she explained that the swarms are being aided by strong winds and dry conditions.
The threat to farming addressed by Minister Didiza
Specialists are now working alongside the Land Department in order to get a handle on the situation. Farmers will collaborate with national and local officials to help manage the outbreak, which threatens to decimate crops and have a serious effect on the agricultural output of rural workers. Didiza outlined the plan of action earlier this afternoon.
“Control measures are currently being implemented to curb the spread of the locusts. The current strong winds are aiding the fight and spread of the locusts. Farmers and farmer organisations must alert the department whenever they spot a swarm of locusts and work with the officials on the ground to curb the spread.”
“The department has already dispatched a team of specialists to the affected provinces to work with the provincial departments of Agriculture and Rural Development officials and our own entity, the Agricultural Research Council.”
Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Thoko Didiza
Who to contact if you encounter locusts in SA:
- Gert Greyvenstein: 082 451 4860
- Vuyokazi Mpumlwana: 084 760 8176
- Dr Ikalafeng Kgakatsi: 072 198 9882
- A full statement has been issued via the Agricultural Ministry’s Twitter page:
[Media Statement] Minister Didiza announces the outbreak of Locusts in Various Provinces. @verified @ARCSouthAfrica @obpvaccines @GovernmentZA @FarmersWeeklySA @VukuzenzeleNews #Outbreak #AnimalHealth pic.twitter.com/4yGdHIucSU
— Department of Agriculture, Land Ref and Rural Dev (@DALRRDgov_ZA) December 3, 2020
