Nigeria: Locusts destroy crops

2005-09-28 21:09

Kano - Swarms of locusts have invaded fields and destroyed crops in northern Nigeria, officials said on Wednesday, just as the region was looking forward to a bumper harvest to head off fears of a food crisis.

Maize and millet fields in seven districts in the northern Nigerian state of Kebbi, which borders on drought-ravaged areas of Niger and Benin, have been attacked by the insects, said state spokesperson Abdullahi Zuru, who called for international assistance.

"We strongly believe these locusts came from our neighbours, Niger and Benin, because we were able to effectively tackle the first invasion at the beginning of the rainy season when we experienced the menace of these migratory insects from the north", said Zuru.

"There is a food shortage in our neighbours, especially Niger, and these locusts are forced to move ahead in search for food and the closest place to come is here where crop yield has been excellent this season due to the sufficient rainfall we have recorded," he said.

He said Kebbi had spent 15 million naira ($114 000) on spraying, but added it believes "the problem can best be tackled through the collaborative efforts of the affected countries, the UN food agency and other international organisations".

"The problem needs international approach if it's to be permanently checked because even if we conquer the locusts from this end they will keep crossing the border from neighbouring countries," he warned.

The government of Niger said this month that a potentially devastating famine, which at one point threatened 2.5 million people with starvation, has come to an end after the West African harvest began, but international agencies are continuing to provide relief supplies.

- AFP