BY MOSES MULOMI, BUSIA DEPUTY GOVERNOR
There is urgent need to address the aftermath of migratory desert locusts should they strike Busia county with catastrophic consequences.
Do we even have a single litre of chemicals?
Do we have the right clothes and equipment to be able to use to spray the chemicals?
Do we have the right pump even if we want to protect the shamba?
Have we trained our people to identify these pests?
You can imagine we are the most vulnerable part of this Country and we are the least prepared for these pests.
I just wanted to bring to your attention honorable Members (of the County Assembly) that this is something that can get us all off the track in terms of our economic development and our food security.
I wanted to mention that you become aware or you realize there is potential danger.
We hope with efforts being put in place in areas that are being controlled, the spread of the pests will be controlled.
But as far as I know, up to Embu we still have swams, that means we have not managed to combat these pests.
The population from Somalia and Southern Ethiopia are still coming.
Therefore, I can foresee a long haul, it’s going to take us a minimum of 6-8 months if we do it right.
I know there is the issue of feeding.
These pests are delicacies in Zambia and Malawi with Ugandans preferring Senene (the long-horned grasshoppers).
Yes, you can harvest up to 50 bags or baskets of desert locusts, but you might have nothing to eat other than the locusts.
What happens when you exhaust the stock?
The only available remedy is to put adequate measures in place to curtail the pests should they strike the county.
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