South Africa has been experiencing a brown locust outbreak since September 2021. The outbreak is in three provinces of the country; namely Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and Western Cape Provinces. Due to the amount of rainfall received, the outbreak tends to escalate, and this resulted in the development of a new generation. 

This locust outbreak is the worst in decades as continuous rain is falling in the Karoo and nearby areas. The wind is also playing a role in migrating the swarms to new areas, such as the garden route area in the Western Cape and in the citrus farms of Kirkwood and Patensie in the Eastern Cape. It has affected the veld, grazing lands, crops, roads, railway lines and was further reported in towns and residential areas. 

There are ground teams appointed to control the locusts in the three provinces. 1200 controllers were appointed, and two helicopters are currently doing the aerial spraying, mostly on inaccessible areas and where there are huge locust outbreaks.  

To date the department has spent more than R80 million in the locust control program and most of the funds have been spent on the procurement of insecticides, including the spraying pumps, protective clothing, payments to controllers and aerial spraying. 
 
The Western Cape Province has contributed R5 million to assist in the locust control programme. They have procured insecticide, protective clothing and spray pumps. The department has established Joint Operation Committee (JOC) that meet once a week to discuss locust control issues. The participants include the department, Agricultural Research Council, Free State province and Eastern and Western Cape provinces, Northern Cape and organised agriculture. 

Ground teams
The ground teams are continuing with their controls in all areas of the three provinces as mixed types of hoppers are being observed as well as swarms of flyers. There are some new locust outbreaks areas and controllers are being activated immediately.

• Northern Cape – 375 290 hectares (ha) controlled
• Western Cape – 16 000 hectares (ha) controlled
• Eastern Cape – 22000 hectares (ha) controlled

The Minister would like to call upon members of the public to assist by notifying our nearest district offices of the affected provincial departments of Agriculture if they spot these locusts. Members of the public can also report to the following officials of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development: Ms Vuyokazi Jongwana: 0847608176 and Ms Mulalo Matodzi: 0833267773. 

Source - https://www.freshplaza.com