Foreign Experts Join Locust Invasion Fight
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 15 2020
Motorists encounter a swarm of locusts at Kamburu Dam in Embu County. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
In Summary
Agriculture Principal Secretary Hamadi Boga said 7,500 litres of Fenitrothione, which is used in aerial spraying, and other chemicals for ground spraying had been received and were being distributed to affected counties.
By NATION TEAM
The government has roped in foreign experts in the fight against the desert locust invasion that has affected 17 counties so far.
A Moroccan professional was among a group of specialists who were training servicemen from the National Youth Service (NYS) in Gilgil on ground control of the migratory pests.
AERIAL SPRAYING
“Kenya is not a desert locust country, and we don’t have much experience, so we needed partners with the requisite experience on how to combat the species. That is why we are combining forces,” said David Mwangi, head of plant protection in the Agriculture ministry.
He added: “We want to focus on the ground spraying mainly because we are having new hatchings and hoppers — the swarms that came have laid eggs and we want to control them on the ground before they develop wings,” Mr Mwangi explained.
He said that they will use hand spraying and vehicle mounted equipment. At the same time, he said, the aerial spraying will go on.
Motorists encounter a swarm of locusts at Kamburu Dam in Embu County. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
In Summary
Agriculture Principal Secretary Hamadi Boga said 7,500 litres of Fenitrothione, which is used in aerial spraying, and other chemicals for ground spraying had been received and were being distributed to affected counties.
By NATION TEAM
The government has roped in foreign experts in the fight against the desert locust invasion that has affected 17 counties so far.
A Moroccan professional was among a group of specialists who were training servicemen from the National Youth Service (NYS) in Gilgil on ground control of the migratory pests.
AERIAL SPRAYING
“Kenya is not a desert locust country, and we don’t have much experience, so we needed partners with the requisite experience on how to combat the species. That is why we are combining forces,” said David Mwangi, head of plant protection in the Agriculture ministry.
He added: “We want to focus on the ground spraying mainly because we are having new hatchings and hoppers — the swarms that came have laid eggs and we want to control them on the ground before they develop wings,” Mr Mwangi explained.
He said that they will use hand spraying and vehicle mounted equipment. At the same time, he said, the aerial spraying will go on.
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