ZAF LOCUSTS AERIAL SPRAYING IN TOP GEAR

OVER 700 hectares of fields which have been infested by the African migratory locusts in Mwandi and Sesheke have been sprayed by Zambia Air Force (ZAF).

The operation which commenced yesterday was aimed at combating the insects which if left unattended to would cause devastation to crops and threaten national food security.

ZAF officer commanding flying wing, Lieutenant-Colonel Zacharia Mbewe said the exercise would be rolled to other parts of Western Province as and when the locusts attack.

Lt-Col Mbewe said that the two helicopters assigned to carry out the aerial spraying had been equipped with 400 litre tanks of chemicals each to cover a wider infested area.

Lt-Col Mbewe said that the team had commenced the aerial spraying in Simalaha and Mahondo areas of Mwandi and Sesheke districts and about 700 hectares had so far been covered.

He said the exercise was important because it had to do with national food security.

Meanwhile, Chief of Operations Brigadier General, William Lungu, said ZAF was mandated to cooperate with assist civil authorities in emergencies, relief and disaster management operations.

Brig-Gen Lungu explained that ZAF would, therefore, not leave the eradication of the locust to the International organisation alone, but ensure that the operation was carried out perfectly.

He said the team would spray the breeding grounds and in all affected fields in order to fulfil the obligation of assisting Government in managing disasters.

And International Red Locusts Control Organisation (IRLCO) Scientist, Ayoub Nchimbi, said the mapping of locusts infested areas had been extended to other districts.

He said his team would continue surveying to ensure that all infested areas are mapped.