Locusts have invaded farms in Nigeria, destroying crops as farmers prepare for harvest, officials said on Friday.
Diyos Auta, state agriculture commissioner for Taraba, in the centre of the country, said the locusts had destroyed 50 000ha of crops in the past week.
”These pests migrated from neighbouring Cameroon and they move like clouds and so far they have destroyed 50 000ha of crops, which were ripe for harvest,” he said.
”We have sent our experts to the area to assess the situation and advise on the best way of handling these locusts because this is not one that the state can handle on its own,” he said.
Auta said the pests were now threatening neighbouring areas.
”We have informed the federal government about the problem and the National Emergency Management Agency would soon be here to assist in arresting the problem”, he said.
Locusts move in swarms of millions and can travel great distances, devouring everything in their path. — Sapa-AFP