Namibia’s Zambezi Region is facing a significant locust outbreak, with experts raising alarms over the potential for a second wave of infestations. The country’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform confirmed the outbreak, which was first detected in early February following heavy rainfall that has since created ideal breeding conditions for the insects.
Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, the executive director of the ministry, said the locusts have been observed in their hopper and fledgling stages across multiple locations, including the floodplains of Ibbu near the Chobe River and 11 constituencies in the Zambezi Region. The influx of rainfall has helped facilitate the rapid multiplication of locusts, further compounding concerns for the agricultural sector.
“Farmers in the affected areas are urged to report any sightings of locust bands or swarms immediately to their nearest Agricultural Development Center,” Nghituwamata stated in a public notice released on Tuesday.
As vegetation in northeastern and north-central Namibia, as well as in neighboring Zambia, Botswana, and Angola, continues to thrive, experts warn that the locusts could regroup and migrate northward. With the drying of vegetation, the insects are expected to form swarms that could potentially spread to other areas, threatening both crops and livelihoods in the region.
In response to the growing threat, Namibia has deployed a specialized team of agricultural officers to control the outbreak. Equipped with vehicle-mounted sprayers and mist blowers, these teams are working in the field to limit the spread and damage caused by the locusts.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and are employing control measures to prevent further infestation,” Nghituwamata said, highlighting the urgency of containing the outbreak before it reaches more extensive agricultural areas.
Locust invasions are not new to Namibia, with the country suffering from similar outbreaks in recent years. A particularly devastating episode in 2020 saw African migratory locusts destroy over 700,000 hectares of land, affecting multiple regions, including Zambezi, Kavango East, Kavango West, and Otjozondjupa.
The current outbreak has once again underscored the vulnerability of the country’s agricultural sector to these pests, with authorities and local communities working together to minimize the long-term impact on food security and regional stability.