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Tag: Desert Locusts

  • New UK support to tackle devastating locust swarms in Africa and Asia

    New UK support to tackle devastating locust swarms in Africa and Asia

    • UK aid package will help control millions of locusts attacking crops across East Africa, Yemen and South West Asia
    • Funding of £18 million will increase pesticide spraying, monitoring and surveillance
    • International Development Secretary calls on countries to work together to tackle the crisis

    New UK-aid support will be used to tackle this year’s unprecedented locust outbreaks across Africa and Asia, where millions of insects are destroying thousands of hectares of crops.

    With locust swarms growing 20 times larger since March 2020, International Development Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan today announced £18 million of new UK aid in response to the crisis during a visit to British company Micron Group, on the Isle of Wight, which supplies pesticide sprayers to the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

    The impact of the plague of insects across Africa and Asia has been made worse by coronavirus, with vulnerable communities facing dwindling food supplies alongside the pandemic.

    Funded by UK aid, the FAO is using Micron Group’s pesticide sprayers across Africa and Asia. Swarms of millions of insects can cover areas up to 100 square miles or more and these sprayers are able to cover large areas with pesticide.

    Since January this year, the FAO has successfully controlled over 600,000 hectares of land, saved 1.2m tons crops with a value of $372 million and eradicated over 400 million locusts in 10 countries in East Africa.

    Of the new funding announced today, £17 million will go to the FAO’s emergency appeal to help to control the increase of locusts across East Africa, Yemen and South West Asia, as well as reduce the risk of swarms spreading into the Sahel.

    The UK will also provide up to £1million to improve early warning and forecasting systems for desert locusts, so that countries can prepare for their arrival. This support, in collaboration with the University of Cambridge and weather data from the UK Met Office, will help the FAO to target locust breeding sites and control outbreaks before they’re able to affect crucial crops and pastures.

    The World Bank estimates that the cost of supporting farmers and producers affected by locusts in East Africa and Yemen alone could reach $8.5bn by the end of 2020.

    Speaking during the visit, International Development Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said:

    “Vulnerable communities are on the brink of starvation because of the biggest locust outbreak in decades, made worse by the coronavirus pandemic.

    “British expertise is playing an important role in equipping companies with the right tools to combat the swarms and track where they will go next.

    “But unless other countries also step up and act now, this crisis will spread and cause even more devastation.”

    The new funding follows £8 million provided by the UK earlier this year to the FAO appeal. A supercomputer funded by UK aid is also helping countries in East Africa to track the insects’ movements around the continent.

    During the visit, the International Development Secretary met with the directors from Micron Group to discuss how their sprayers have been key to tackling locusts in highly affected areas across the world. She also saw how the sprayers are assembled at their Isle of Wight factory and took part in a demonstration on how they work in the field.

    Anthony Outlaw, Micron Group Operations Manager, said:

    “Micron are proud to support the world on the fight against locusts through supplying cutting-edge equipment for the FAO. We have continued to work tirelessly throughout the pandemic to meet this demand. The whole team understand the importance of tackling this outbreak and the impact on food security it has for millions of people.”

  • Agriculture Ministry updates the nation on the status of Desert Locusts latest invasion

    Agriculture Ministry updates the nation on the status of Desert Locusts latest invasion

    The minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Hon. Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja has today updated the nation regarding the latest Desert Locusts Invasion in Eastern Uganda. 

    On behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries, I take this opportunity to inform you that the country has been invaded by a second wave of desert locust swarms from Kenya. The desert locusts entered Uganda through Amudat district on Friday 3rd April 2020. The two swarms that entered have further spread inland into Kumi, Katakwi, Otuke and Agago districts by yesterday 6th April 2020.


    Unlike previous swarms, these swarms comprise of immature adult desert locusts recently hatched in Kenya. The immature adult desert locust is a growth stage that still feeds heavily and therefore has the potential to destroy vegetation wherever they go.

    This Media briefing provides an update on the current status of the desert locusts in the Country following the second wave of invasion and provide the interventions undertaken by the Ministry and partners to contain the locust invasion.

    SITUATION OF DESERT LOCUSTS IN UGANDA

    Uganda has been invaded by a second wave of desert locust from Kenya. The desert locust entered through Amudat district on Friday 3rd April 2020. The two swarms that entered have further spread inland into Kumi. Each of these is estimated between 5 – 10 square kilometres. Following control by UPDF in Namalu Nakapirrpiti district, part of the swarm moved and settled in Kumi district in the parishes of Osera, and Akumu of Ongino sub county and Agule of Kumi Sub county and Agago as of yesterday 6th April 2020. UPDF was notified and control efforts undertaken. 


    Another swarm spread from Amudat through Nabilatuk and settled in Ogongoja sub county in Katakwi district and the UPDF team at Olilim intercepted it and control efforts are ongoing. A splinter swarm further through Amuria, Abim and settled in Otuke district. 

    Uganda has previously recorded nine (9) huge swarms of desert locusts in the Northern and Eastern parts of the Country. These swarms were classified as mature locusts and did not cause significant damage to the vegetation cover. However, the eggs that were laid are expected to hatch into nymphs and young locusts that have high affinity for food. This may pose an eminent danger to food security and livelihoods.

    Technical Surveillance Teams in the region have continued to respond to reports of desert locust egg-hatching in the Districts of Agago, Ngora, Sironko and Bukwo. However, site visits by Technical Surveillance Teams confirmed presence of Variegated Grass hoppers but not locusts. Other reports of egg-hatching in the Districts of Amudat and Nakapiripirit have also been proved false by the Surveillance Team. No hatching of desert locust eggs has yet been observed anywhere in the Country as of 17th March 2020.
    The DLCOEA aircraft has continued to spray hoppers and fledgling locusts in the areas of Lodwar – Turkana Kenya as part of the transboundary strategy to control locusts within the East African region.

    MITIGATION MEASURES BY GOVERNMENT 

    Government through the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries has undertaken various interventions to control the desert locusts’ invasion:

    Chemicals: Government has fast tracked the procurement of appropriate chemicals for spraying the locusts. A total of 1,400 litres of Fenitrothion 96% ULV out of the 10, 000 litres that were ordered has so far been received from Twiga Kenya Limited. The 10,000 Ltrs of Fenitrothion 96% ULV has not been received due to limited Aircrafts flying out of Japan due to the COVID – 19 Challenge. The Supplier is also trying various methods of shipping the chemical to Nairobi. The absence of this chemical hinders the use of Aircrafts which are much more efficient than the ground operations.

    Equipment: Government has so far procured and dispatched 500 Motorised Spray Pumps, 2,000 Knapsack Spray Pumps and 2,000 sets of Personal protective gear. Motor Vehicle Mounted Spray Pumps have also been deployed. The troops are already deployed and are busy spraying the Locusts from 04th April 2020.

     

    Funds: Government has so far mobilised UGX 22.0 Billion from its treasury and various development partners to facilitate the implementation of the Desert Locust Control Plan. The additional UGX 16.18 Billion approved by Cabinet has not yet been received from treasury.

     

     Capacity Building: The Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with experts from DLCOEA, FAO and NARO have built capacity of the UPDF, Extension Workers, Uganda Wild Life Authority staff and District Local Government staff. To-date 2,045 UPDF soldiers, 85 UWA staff, 385 Extension Workers and 450 other District Local Government staff have been trained and deployed. During this lockdown; we are depending on this built capacity to execute the first response to the desert locust invasions.
    The control activities by the UPDF have not allowed the Desert Locusts to settle and cause any significant damage to the vegetation. This has made it extremely hard for them to lay eggs as the spraying destabilizes them and they instead move in smaller swarms.

    ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS

    FAO: The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN – FAO) donated four (4) ULV Vehicle Mounted Sprayers; ten (10) Motorized Spray Pumps; ten (10) Manual Spray Pumps; one hundred pieces (100) PPE Helmet Head Gear; one hundred pieces (100) PPE Safety Chemical Resistance Gloves; one hundred pieces (100) PPE Safety Goggles; one hundred sets (100) Respirators and Cartridge.
     
    WFP: The United Nations World Food Programme (UN – WFP) also donated 5 (five) fully Serviced Trucks which are being used for logistics in the control operations. WFP has also provided a number of mobile stores for the storage of equipment in the field.
    BULGARIA: The Government of Bulgaria offered to H.E. The President an Aircraft to facilitate aerial spraying. The Government OF Uganda shall be responsible for providing chemicals, fuel and accommodation for the crew. The Aircraft is currently being configured to locust spraying before it is brought into the Country.
    CHINA: The Chinese Government has donated 50,000 Litres of Malathion ULV; Five Hundred Pieces (500 pcs) of Hand-held ULV Sprayers; Five hundred pieces (500 pcs) of Knapsack Motorised Sprayers, Forty Pieces (40 pcs) of Unmanned Air Vehicles, and two thousand sets (2000) of Protective Gear. These items are yet to be delivered in the country. The Ministry will be responsible for clearing the items and any associated local costs.
    MAJOR CHALLENGES
    The Nose Masks (N95) are hard to find as there is a stiff competition for them since they are also being used to protect communities from Coronavirus.
     
     Due to COVID-19 control measures in place in the country right now, there are skeletal staff supporting the field control activities.
     
    The 8,600 litres of the fenitrothion 96 ULV is still not delivered due to COVID-19 challenges both at the manufacturing facility in Japan and formulation facility in Nairobi. The DLCOEA aircraft had been redeployed to Lodwar in Turkana for transboundary control and the clearance processes with Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has been initiated for it to return with the crew. 

    RECOMMENDATIONS

    The government has been reliably informed that some of the areas in Kenya previously habited by desert locusts have newly hatched hoppers which may be headed to Uganda. There is an urgent need to engage the Government of Kenya on the possibility of joint operations for ground spraying to ensure that the newly hatched hoppers do not reach maturity and swarm into Uganda.

    Farming Communities in the affected communities are however encouraged to take advantage of the recent rains and plant crops to avert a possible food crisis.

  • Desert Locusts invade Uganda again

    Desert Locusts invade Uganda again

    The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries hereby informs the public that Uganda continues to receive more Desert Locust swarms from Kenya, the latest reported on April 3rd, 2020 in Amudat district, Karamoja sub-region. 
    The Government of Uganda further informs the public that the UPDF Locust Control team has sprayed this new swarm.
    Government is conducting desert locust control operations to help protect crops, pastures and the environment in general. Current control measures involve use of inorganic pesticides.

    The Public is also informed that Pesticides are dangerous. Members of the Public are strongly advised not to collect, consume, eat or sell locusts found near or around the pesticide application areas.
    They could contain traces of pesticide that are harmful to your health!
    Farming Communities and the general public are encouraged to take advantage of the current rains to plant and manage crops, look after livestock and fisheries to ensure continued food, nutrition and income security even after the current COVID-19 pandemic.
    Locust Invasion Alert and Call for Calm Amidst New Invasion:
    Following the most recent alert communicated through local area radio stations and the MAAIF website on the 3rd of April 2020, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries hereby informs the public that Uganda continues to receive more Desert Locust swarms from the East.
    The most recent was on the 3rd of April 2020.
    Having registered success in controlling the first wave of Desert Locust Swarms, Government with support from the FAO, WFP and other partners, further informs the public as follows:
    • 550 Extension Officers, District Agricultural Officers and District Production and Marketing Officers in the sub-regions of Teso and Karamoja were trained by the Ministry teams and will use that expertise in invasion control, sensitizing the masses and responding to alerts
    • Officers from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces will continue to work alongside the Crop Protection team in carrying out ground and aerial spraying operations
    • Entomologists and Geo-Information Systems Specialists from both the Ministry and the UPDF will also continue to carry out surveillance of the invasions to provide extent maps and advisories.
    . On the 11th of March 2020, an additional 1000 litres of Fenitrothion 96% ULV was received from Twiga Chemicals – Kenya. The total Amount of Fenitrothion 96% ULV is so far 1400 litres out of 10000 litres that was ordered. 18000 litres of Emulsifiable Concentrate (EC) for ground spraying was procured and 2000 sets of Personal protective gear and these are being used by field teams.
    While the Ministry and partners continue to control these invasions and create awareness among the most at risk areas using local area radio stations, the public is also advised to avoid:
    • Attempting to collect, consume, eat or sell locusts found near or around the pesticide application areas. They could contain traces of pesticide that are harmful if consumed.
    • False alarms and misleading messages aimed at lowering vigilance of affected communities
    Invasion by Desert Locusts in your area should be reported to the nearest agricultural extension officer.
    For any other desert locust related reports, please report to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Department of Crop Protection on 0414320801/0414320115 or call toll-free 0800177777.
  • Ministry of Agriculture PS Pius Wakabi gives updates on locust control operations in Northern & Eastern Uganda

    Ministry of Agriculture PS Pius Wakabi gives updates on locust control operations in Northern & Eastern Uganda

    The Permanent Secretary (PS) Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries Mr. Pius Wakabi Kasajja has given to the public updates on desert locusts control operations in Eastern and northern Uganda. This was at the Ministry’s offices in Entebbe.

    Five weeks ago, Uganda was invaded by Desert Locusts from neighbouring Kenya through Amudat and to-date we have 24 districts in the 6 sub-regions of Acholi, Karamoja, Lango, Sebei, Teso and Bugisu that have reported these locust swarms .
    This is an update on the current status of the desert locusts in the country and control activities carried out by the Government of Uganda together with other partners including FAO, DLCO EA to return the situation in the affected communities to normalcy.
    While natural disasters capture headlines and national attention in the short-term; the work of recovery and rebuilding is long-term.
     SITUATION OF DESERT LOCUSTS IN UGANDA
    Uganda has so far recorded the entry of 9 swarms of mature Desert locusts. These swarms have not caused significant damage to the vegetation cover. The eminent danger to food security and livelihoods however will likely be posed by the nymphs and young desert locusts that will hatch. These nymphs and young desert locusts have a high need for food consuming close to 100 tons of vegetation per day depending on the size of the swarm.
    A swarm spreading about 6 square kilometres was observed on 12th Match 2020 in Masike, Kangole Town Council near Kangole Girls Primary School in Karamoja sub-region. Control measures undertaken by the UPDF, however, suppressed the swarm.
    Technical Surveillance teams in the region continue to receive reports of Desert Locust hatching in Agago, Ngora, Sironko and Bukwo. However, upon visiting the sites by technical teams, the presence of Variegated Grass hoppers was confirmed and not locusts.
    Other reports of hatching in Amudat and Nakapiripirit have been proved to be false by the surveillance team. No hatching of the Desert Locust eggs has been observed yet in the country as of 13th March 2020.
    This week, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries is training an additional 100 Agricultural Extension Officers in addition to 450 already trained from Karamoja and Teso sub-regions. These officers are being trained on desert locust identification, behaviour, management and Control. This is intended to build capacity of the key stakeholders in management and control of the pest targeting teams not previously trained.
    The government appreciated partners in DLCO that heeded their cry for trans-boundary control activities and as such the DLCO EA aircraft is still in Lodwar, Turkana Kenya for transboundary control while at the same time ready for relocation to Uganda to control the swarms that may warrant aerial spraying.
     INTERVENTIONS
    Government through the ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries has fast tracked the procurement of appropriate equipment and chemicals. On 11th March 2020, another 1000 litres of Fenitrothion 96% ULV was received from Twiga Chemicals – Kenya. The total Amount of Fenitrothion 96% ULV is so far 1400 litres out of 10000 litres that was ordered. 18000 litres of Emulsifiable Concentrate (EC) for ground spraying was procured and 2000 sets of Personal protective gear and these are being used by field teams.
    Government has so far procured and dispatched 500 motorised spray pumps and 2000 Knapsack spray pumps with an assortment of Protective Equipment’s. Ground control operations have been conducted in all the 24 districts to minimise the spread of mature egg laying desert locusts.
    Government has so far mobilised UGX 22 Billion from its treasury and various development partners have come on board to facilitate implementation of Desert Locust Control plan.
    Resources utilization. Eleven Billion Uganda Shillings (UGX 11.1 billion) was paid as the arrears to Desert Locust Control Organization (DLCOEA). UGX 2.8 Billion was spent on aerial spraying pesticides, 1.2 billion was spent on pumps, UGX 1.39 Billion was paid for UPDF operations while 1.2 Billion on operational expenses. The 3.6 Billion has been committed for Aircraft operations and UGX 0.71 Billion is the current balance being used on current activities.
    An additional UGX 16.18 Billion is being mobilised from the treasury to enhance UPDF and Desert Locust Control activities; support district local governments control efforts and to intensify sensitisation and awareness creation, surveillance and mapping activities.
    MAAIF technical teams with support of the National consultant and in collaboration with experts from Desert Locusts Control Organisation for Eastern Africa (DLCOEA), Food and Agricultural organisation (FAO) and National Agriculture Research Organisation (NARO) have continued to build capacity of the UPDF, Extension Workers, Uganda Wild Life Authority staff and District Local Government.
    To-date 2,045 UPDF soldiers, 85 UWA staff, 385 Extension workers and 450 other district local government staff have been trained and deployed.
    DEVELOPMENT PARTNER SUPPORT
    The government has received support from both UN agencies and other Development Partners during implementation of the Desert Locust control interventions.
    Under the tenets of a Technical Cooperation Project, FAO is supporting Desert Locust Control activities to the tune of US$500,000 and through regional efforts will further enhance this support. FAO continues to provide expertise helpful in Desert Locust control activities. In addition, FAO has donated 4 double cabin vehicles with vehicle mounted spray equipment, 10 motorized sprayers, 10 knapsack sprayers, 100 assorted protective gear including; helmets, overalls, safety googles, gumboots all for demonstration purposes.
    World Food program provided 5 (five) fully serviced trucks which are being used for logistics in the control operations. They have also provided a number of mobile stores for the equipment in the field.
    The Government of Bulgaria has offered His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda an Air craft to support aerial control activities through spraying. The Government of Uganda will be responsible for the supply of chemicals, fuel and accommodation for the crew. It is currently being configured to locust spraying before it is brought in the Country.
    Others Partners include African Development Bank, World Bank, Bill Gates and Melinda Foundation who have equally promised support. Details of the exact figures from each of these partners will be provided when the requisite approvals and disbursements have been approved.
    MAJOR CHALLENGES
    Specialised pesticide formulation for aerial spraying (Fenitrothion 96% ULV) is a challenge to obtain due to the current wave of desert locust outbreak in the Horn of Africa, Middle East and the Eastern Africa Region.
    5.2. In addition to the shortage of the recommended aerial spraying pesticide, the Nose Masks (N95) are hard to find as there is stiff competition with Corona virus. Suppliers informed us that Chinese have been buying these masks from Uganda due to shortages in their country.
    There is also challenge of Desert Locusts invasion into Kidepo Valley National Park. MAAIF is engaging Uganda Wildlife Authority to support mapping out of possible settlement of DL to prepare for spot control.
    Uganda still continues to experience further invasions from Kenya. We are reliably informed that some of those areas in Kenya previously invaded have newly hatched hoppers. We will continue to engage Kenya Government on joint operations for ground spraying to ensure that the newly hatched hoppers do not reach maturity and swarm into Uganda.
    The government has appealed to the general public to prepare to plant crops for the season A, 2020 since government has put in place measures to ensure that the crops will be protected from the Desert Locust.
  • Agriculture Ministry updates the nation on Desert Locusts situation in Northern & Eastern Uganda

    Agriculture Ministry updates the nation on Desert Locusts situation in Northern & Eastern Uganda

    The Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries Hon. Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempija has updated the nation on Desert Locusts control in Northern and Eastern Uganda. 
    This was today when he met Members of the Media Fraternity at Media Centre in Kampala.
    He provided an update on the status of the desert locusts in the affected Districts and the measures undertaken by Government to bring the invasion under control.
    SITUATION OF DESERT LOCUSTS IN UGANDA
    The minister said Swarms of desert locusts (Schistocerca gregaria) continue invading Uganda from neighbouring Kenya through Karita and Loroo sub-counties in Amudat District in Karamoja sub-region, after having ravaged several parts of Kenya, causing food shortages. The desert locusts have since been sighted in 24 districts in Teso, Lango, Acholi, Sebei and Bugisu sub-regions.
    The affected Districts as of 6th March, 2020 include: Amudat, Nakapiripirit, Nabilatuk, Moroto, Kotido, Kaabong, Karenga, Abim, Otuke, Napak, Katakwi, Amuria, Soroti, Ngora, Kumi, Bukwo, Kween, Agago, Kitgum, Lamwo, Pader, Bulambuli, Bukedea and Sironko.
    The Minister said the existing swarms have not caused significant damage to the vegetation cover, however, there is an eminent threat to food security when the eggs hatch into hoppers in the next few weeks as has been the case with our neighbour, Kenya.
    The swarms however continue to spread to other districts and possibly laying of eggs is expected to continue while our efforts to control the adult locusts continue.
    On 3rd March 2020, a new invasion of desert locust (4 square kilometre) arrived in Bukwo District covering 3 villages of Ariyowet, Kapambar and Kaptobole in Kapswamatule sub- county. The swarm was a mixture of immature and mature adults and the UPDF immediately swung into action by spraying them. It is worth noting that the immature adult locusts are the most destructive stage of the desert locust as swarms can feed on 100 tons of vegetation per day
    On 6th of March 2020, the swarm that had settled in Kidepo Valley National Park was seen flying towards South Sudan. We are in discussions with Uganda Wild Life Authority to begin mapping out areas of desert locusts’ invasions in the National Park for targeted control. This is in line with the preservation of the eco-system in the National Park
    2.6. With the planting season round the corner, it is of paramount importance that the desert locust invasions are completely brought under control to avert a potential food crisis.
    INTERVENTIONS BY GOVERNMENT
    In response to the invasion, the minister said Government in collaboration with key partners has undertaken various interventions to control the desert locusts’ invasions:
    Surveillance teams from Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, respective District Local Governments and Uganda People’s Defense Forces have continued to assess and map out areas where eggs could have been laid by the desert locusts. Maps are being developed to guide the control of nymphs by aerial and ground control.
    “Whereas we may not have seen hoppers hatching at the moment, we are reminded that locust eggs remain in the ground for long periods until the weather becomes conducive for them to hatch. As such vigilance must be exercised at all times in areas where the mature locusts have been and this is what the surveillance teams are doing. Through the Desert Locust Control Organization, Government of Uganda is presently involved in trans-boundary desert locust control activities to control the migration of large populations of immature desert locust adults to Uganda,” he said.
    A Surveillance and Reporting Application developed by MAAIF and FAO continues to be used by Extension Workers in the field for timely reporting and maps continue to be generated.
    Ground spraying by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces continues to be undertaken in areas where the desert locusts have been sighted,
    Aerial spraying using Fenitrothion 96 ULV was conducted at Napeto, Nakachumti Parish Matany Sub-county Napak District on the 1st of March, 2020. More aerial spraying of desert locusts was carried out at kadonyo, Tapac sub county in Moroto District. Post spray assessment is being done while more areas for aerial spraying are being assessed and mapped.
    A Health and Safety Committee under the guidance of NEMA is providing guidance on Human and environment Safety mitigation measures during aerial and ground spraying. This team will support respective district local government efforts of engaging affected communities on various issues including; avoiding consumption of dead locusts as they maybe poisonous as a result of the desert locust control activities.
    Awareness creation and sensitization is ongoing and will be intensified over the next few weeks in the affected communities. Various engagement approaches including local council mobilization efforts as well as community media engagement and IEC materials distribution have been adopted. Posters, fliers and brochures continue to be distributed to target communities in English and respective local languages.
    DEVELOPMENT PARTNER SUPPORT
    He said they have received support from the UN Agencies during implementation of desert locust control interventions. The Desert Locust Control Organization (DLCO) and FAO continue to provide experts who have been helpful in the desert locust control activities.
    World Food Programme provided fully serviced trucks (5) which are being used for logistics in the control measures.
    Other partners include African Development Bank which has pledged support to the tune of 1 million dollars and the World Bank which has equally promised some support.
    CHALLENGES
    The specialized pesticide formulation for aerial spraying (Fenitrothion 96% ULV) is a challenge to obtain due to the current wave of desert locust outbreaks in the horn of Africa, middle East and the East African region.
    Our original order has been delayed due to strict measures by the Kenya Government which required pre-shipment inspection in Japan which takes 2 (two) weeks. However, the Supplier, Twiga Chemicals has been able to make a partial delivery of 400 Litres awaiting delivery of the full consignment. Kenya is also faced with the same challenge of ready availability of this chemical.
    “I would like to take this opportunity to appreciate support provided by various development partners including ADB, FAO, WFP, World Bank, and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation,” the minister concluded.