FAO warns of locust outbreak in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, February 24, 2021 (FBC) -The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has warned possible locust outbreak in Ethiopia as result of recent rainfall.

In the past few days, light to moderate rains fell in southern Ethiopia that could be sufficient to allow the swarms present in the country to mature and eventually lay eggs, which would give rise to another generation of breeding, it said in a statement.

However, the scale of spring breeding is expected to be limited because of on-going control operations that continue to reduce the number of swarms and the likelihood of poor spring rains starting next month, it added.

Immature swarms persist in Oromia (East Harerghe, Arsi, Borena) and SNNP (South Omo, Konso) regions, including southern areas of the Rift Valley where more swarms were reported, according to the statement.

According to the Organization, the present situation in the Horn of Africa differs significantly from one year ago. The current swarms are smaller in size and less numerous.

In addition to our Website, follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/fanatelevision