Reported by: The Agency Media.
Date: 27th March 2025.
Limulunga, Western Province, Zambia.
The Zambian government has launched an urgent response to a severe red locust infestation threatening maize crops in Western Province. The outbreak, which has already affected over 2,000 hectares of farmland in Limulunga and Sioma districts, poses a significant risk to food security in the region.
Agriculture Coordinator for Western Province, PACO Rodwel Muntanga, confirmed that the locusts have damaged more than 410 hectares of maize fields in Luena Constituency alone, with similar destruction reported in Sinjembela, Sioma District. Given the scale of the threat, authorities are treating the situation as a disaster requiring immediate intervention.
In a decisive move, Western Province Permanent Secretary Simomo Akapelwa led a high-level delegation comprising officials from the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), the Ministry of Agriculture, and the International Red Locust Control Organization (IRLCO) to assess the damage in Limulunga. Following their assessment, the government has initiated motorized spraying operations to curb the spread of the pests.
To further contain the infestation, experts have recommended large-scale aerial chemical spraying in the hardest-hit areas. Scientist Ayoub Nchimbi from IRLCO warned that with an alarming density of 20 to 30 locusts per square meter, failure to act swiftly could devastate maize production in the province.
The New Dawn Government has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding food security and minimizing agricultural losses by implementing aggressive pest control measures. As the response efforts intensify, authorities are working closely with local farmers and international experts to prevent the locusts from spreading to other regions.
The Agency.