By Henry MULINDWA
UGANDA-Farmers in Uganda whose districts were invaded by desert locusts four years ago should not worry about the possibility of those eggs hatching into locusts to terrorize them again!
According to UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), what Uganda experienced was an invasion not an outbreak because the country is not a breeding ground for desert locusts.
“Farmers shouldn’t worry because Uganda is not a breeding ground. They (locusts) can only invade (again) and do any damage if they can but the eggs cannot hatch. (True) they tried to lay eggs but the eggs fell on the ground. They either dried up or were fed on by other organisms” Martin Ameu, a Senior Program Officer at FAO said during a media dialogue organized by this UN agency at Onomo hotel in Kampala. The dialogue focused on FAO-Uganda’s interventions in Food, Nutrition and Income Security for Sustainable Development in the country with key presentations being made by experts in various areas.
The presentations touched on Crop Production, Environment, Resilience among other topics. Ameu explained that whereas locusts lay eggs which later hatch and terrorize farmers through invasions, for the case of Uganda the eggs laid were as good as useless because they cannot penetrate the ground since the soil is hard.
“The conditions in Uganda don’t favor the hatching of the eggs. Penetrating the ground is not easy like it is the case with those areas where they hatch from. They hatch in the sand” he said.
He added that even on the possibility of another invasion, the farmers need to worry not because FAO and it’s stakeholders are fully monitoring those places considered to be breeding grounds.
“They will not come by surprise (if they are to invade again) because the route is known. What farmers should worry about is what’s already in their farms like the fall army worm which is affecting many plants like maize. The farmers should focus on those” he said.
Ameu urged the media to put emphasis on such pests which are endemically affecting people’s crops.
He made the remarks as he presented a paper on key interventions and achievements by FAO-Uganda in the area of crop production between the years 2020-2025.
He said in this period, technical assistance was provided to government on fighting desert locusts which invaded the country in 2020-2021. The technical assistance included surveillance and control of these locusts in addition to protection of livelihoods of the attacked communities. The technical assistance touched on mobilization of funds for desert locusts control in Uganda, capacity building for extension workers in 30 districts in East and northern Uganda, logistical support to government including provision of equipment, vehicles for surveillance and control of these locusts and provision of production inputs involving seeds, farm tools and cash to support production in areas invaded by locusts.
Other interventions according to him, included enhanced national capacity for preparedness and response to pests and diseases, noting that almost every year, Uganda experiences a new outbreak of pests.
Ameu said FAO has also supported surveillance and release of biological control agents against an introduced species of mango mealybug in Ntungamo district.
He said FAO’s interventions against Desert Locusts include USD915000 for seeds, USD948000 for livestock, USD531000 for vehicles for ground control operations, USD525000 for chemical pesticides, USD156000 for bio pesticides, USD179000 for Spraying equipment, USD142000 for personal protective equipment, USD55000 for survey and surveillance equipment including GPS, radio. Other interventions on locusts are USD430000 for cold chain and training in addition to USD26000 for ICT equipment.
“Our work was to ensure that locusts don’t make a lot of damage in areas they attacked” he said.
Meanwhile, FAO country representative Dr. Antonio Querido emphasized the need to collaboration between FAO and the media in the fight against hunger not only in Uganda but also Africa and the world at large.
“We strongly believe you play a very effective role in the fight against hunger, food insecurity to ensure everyone has food to eat. The media is a key partner in the implementation of our mandate. You help translate our complex issues into narratives that can educate the communities” he noted adding that it’s important for such engagements to continue as the media will help amplify the voices of rural farmers for them to be attended to by policy makers.
“Agriculture is quite complex because it has many processes leading to harvest. The crop pests, soils etc. Therefore, timely and balanced reporting can help bridge that gap. The media knows the importance of writing and telling a good story. It can highlight challenges but can also shape policies that impact the communities; showcasing some of the success stories we have had etcetera. So, your story can inspire and we strongly believe this partnership is important” he said.
Querido whose tour of duty is soon coming to an end in Uganda, noted that Africa is an endowed continent with natural resources including water and land but the continent is not doing well when it comes to food security.
“We urge the media to work with us to promote a world that is free of hunger. We want to strengthen the collaboration with you to ensure agriculture, food security remains central to the development agenda and your daily reporting” he said adding that FAO’s main pillars are four including a better production, better nutrition, better environment and better life. He commended Ugandan for their hospitality and pledged to return to the country for private visits, describing the country as his second home.
SOURCE: www.theinspector.co.ug
