War on Locusts intensify as FAO strengthen Kenya mitigation strategies

As farmers continue to plant and
weed crops amid fears of possible infestation of desert locusts, the United
Nation Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) has donated additional Shs.2
billion to help fight the menace.

This brings the total national locusts
fighting kitty Shs.4 billion, which will help curb the spread to most parts of
the country.

According to a report by the Famine
Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS Net), lack of enough capital hindered the
procurement of necessary equipment in the fight against the locusts.

“Previously, funding was a major
constraint to FAO’s procurement of pesticides and equipment for the
surveillance and aerial and ground control of desert locusts,” read part of the
report.

It further state that, 93% of the
required funds have been collected from donors, intensifying efforts to significantly
mitigate the menace.

“However, donors have made
contributions to the control efforts with 93 per cent of the required funds
received,” explained the report. “It is
most likely that the impacts of the desert locusts will be significantly
mitigated given the procurement of the necessary equipment for ground and air
operations.”

Large swarms of desert locusts hit
the country early January, spreading to nearly 20 counties.

The locust swarms, which matures
and lay eggs, pose thread to farmers during this planting season.

In March, World Bank approved the
disbursement of Sh1.4 billion from the lender’s Sh25 billion Kenya
Climate-Smart Agriculture Project to boost the fight against the pests.

The country also received an additional
Shs.400 million from the African Development Fund, to curb the spread of desert
locusts.