Asmara, 13 December 2023 – The Ministry of Agriculture called on all concerned government institutions, public, and the Eritrean defense units to actively conduct surveillance to control the prevalence of desert locust swarm invasion.
The Ministry of Agriculture also called on the concerned bodies to make adequate preparations and conduct regular surveillance to effectively combat desert locust swarm infestation that might occur in the country and report to authorities in case of appearances.
Noting that large parts of Eritrea’s coastline are suitable for desert locust breeding, and since the rainy season of the eastern coastal areas as well as uneven rainfall being registered in the area is creating favorable conditions for hopper breeding, the Public Relations Division of the Ministry of Agriculture informed that the threat of desert locust outbreak in the country is at its highest level.
The division further stated that desert locust control measures are being undertaken in vast areas of Sheib, Afabet, and Emahmime sub-zones, Northern Red Sea Region, and in Araata sub-zone, Southern Red Sea Region. Locust infestation that was stretched in about 17 thousand hectares has been put under control and that control measures are still being undertaken in the regions, the division reported.
The Ministry of Agriculture also reminds concerned bodies to make necessary preparations and surveillance activities to combat possible cross-border desert locust swarm invasion from neighboring countries of Sudan, Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf of Aden.