Locusts destroy cassava plantations in Lamwo
Pupils scare away locusts in Katakwi District on February 13. FILE PHOTO
The head of locust control task force in Lamwo District, Mr John Ogwok, has said locusts that invaded the area last week are destroying crops.
“Two acres of cassava plantation have been ravaged, all leaves eaten. They also destroyed cabbages in a garden nearby in Madiope Sub-county,” Mr Ogwok told Daily Monitor yesterday.
He said the locusts are also in Padibe Sub-county and Lamwo Town Council.
Mr Williams Komakech, the Kitgum Resident District Commissioner, said another big swarm that hit the area last week was perfectly controlled by a team of soldiers using knapsack pumps and vehicle mounted motorised pumps.
“The swarms were in Bilaloyo, Omoro and Olayo villages in Orom Sub-county. The spraying was very successful as many of them were killed except that those on tall trees couldn’t be sprayed,” Mr Komakech said.
He added that few locusts are still in Mucwini and Layamo sub-counties in Kitgum. In Acholi Sub-region, locusts are still confined in Agago, Pader, Kitgum and Lamwo districts, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.
Residents of Gulu, Amuru, Nwoya and Adjumani districts also reported few strands of locusts in their communities.
