TURKANA, Kenya – Food security is seriously threatened by locust outbreaks, especially those caused by the desert locust, which harm pastures and crops, affect livelihoods, and cause economic instability.
They are migratory pests that pose a major threat to agriculture and food production because of their ability to multiply quickly and consume large amounts of vegetation.
It is against this backdrop that the County Government of Turkana, through the Department of Agriculture, this week launched an assessment in Turkana South sub-county following a recent outbreak of tree locusts.
The evaluation, which took place in the areas of Lochwaa, Kanaodon, and Lokapel, involved a transect drive aimed at identifying the locust species and assessing its impact on food security and local livelihoods.
Director of Agriculture Aaron Nanok and County Crop Officer Gabriel Okata reported that the tree locusts were primarily located in open woodlands, where they predominantly targeted Acacia trees, fruit trees, and Prosopis juliflora.
They also affected sorghum crops at the milky stage. Observations indicated that the locust population ranged from 30 to over 70 hoppers per tree, leading to significant depletion of shrubs and vegetation. There is a growing concern that the locusts may migrate to nearby farmlands as their current food sources diminish.
Why Turkana County locals are concerned about the locust invasion
Nanok conducted a community engagement session to get insights on the locust infestation.
Community elder John Lungi expressed deep concern, stating:
“We’re worried over the diminished pasture and the threats to food security and livelihoods posed by the locusts.”
In response to the situation, the agriculture director emphasised the importance of coordinated efforts to combat the infestation.
“The tree locust infestation is a tangible threat to ecological balance, food production, and pastoral livelihoods,” explained Nanok.
The county government now says that it is keen on ensuring coordinated surveillance and pest control efforts to control the spread and minimise environmental and ecological damage.
How the younger breed of locusts affected the Turkana vegetation
In 2020, the desert locust invasion in different parts of Turkana threatened to reverse gains made by the county government on food security, County Executive for Agriculture, Pastoral Economy, and Fisheries Chris Aletia said.
Addressing journalists at Lorengelup, CEC Aletia decried the pest attack on vegetation, saying all investment to make the county food secure was at risk as reported cases of swarm attacks keep increasing.
He informed the scribes that the dangerous part of the infestation was the younger breed that had been hatched by the desert locusts.
Additionally, CEC Aletia said the first case of desert locusts was spotted at Lokwamosing and Katilia a month earlier, before it spread to other parts of the county.
The county executive revealed that seven staff had been trained by the national government on the treatment and control of locust infestation.
He called for more support from the national government and other partners to help address the pest menace that he warned could destroy plants that had been planted during the last rainy season.
