Ethiopia Steps Up Aerial Spraying To Stop Locust Invasion

Addis Ababa, May 12, 2020 (FBC) – Ethiopia has deployed helicopters to spray new swarms of desert locusts that are threatening the country’s food security.

Ministry of Agriculture stated it has started spraying pesticides from the air, using three helicopters leased from the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Ethiopia jointly with several development partners is working hard to limit damage to crops and prevent a food crisis, a senior advisor in the crop protection department at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Zebdios Salato said.

Currently, the aerial spraying is being carried out in three locations: Arba-Minchi in Southern Ethiopia; Jigjiga, in the Somali region and Dire-Dawa in the eastern part of the country, the ministry disclosed.

The aerial spraying is using malathion, diazinen and other environmentally friendly pesticides, not to harm the ecosystem, ministry of agriculture indicated.