Africa News of Monday, 12 October 2020

Source: bbc.com

Ethiopia intensifies fight against locust swarms

The swarms invaded several countries in East Africa The swarms invaded several countries in East Africa

Ethiopia's Agriculture Minister, Oumer Hussien, has said more spray planes will be deployed to fight huge locust swarms that are devastating farms.

This is after two spraying planes crashed early October slowing down the effort to stop the swarms.

The minister said the swarms had spread to four regions in the country and were a threat to Ethiopia's food security.

He said the ministry was in the process of identifying farmers most affected by the locust invasion and will offer them support.

The locusts were sighted in several East African countries where they devoured crops. Experts called it the biggest infestation in 60 years.