Locust threat to Darfur, White Nile agriculture, forests

Farmers in Sudan’s East Darfur and White Nile states are calling for urgent action to prevent damage to farms and forestry projects by locusts.

Farmers in the localities of Bahr El Arab, Abu Jabra, and El Ferdous in East Darfur have confirmed the appearance of the locust hoppers in the forests and valleys.

They called on the authorities act to fight them before causing damage to the agricultural season.

White Nile

The Inspector of Plant Protection in White Nile state, Bashir El Khalifa, has reported the emergence of large numbers of locusts in the agricultural and forestry projects south of Tendelti locality.

He added that there have been reports of the presence of hoppers in the forests of Tendelti locality and the forests of Um Batina in the northern countryside.

Swarm danger

It is normal for small numbers of grasshoppers to me present in the region, however under certain conditions, these insects can breed prolifically and form large swarms that consume any vegetation and devastate crops. This can be prevented by early application of pesticides.