MPs visit desert locust affected farmers in West Harerge Zone

Addis Ababa, October 27, 2020 (FBC) – Members of the House of Peoples’ Representatives have paid a visit to farmers who have been affected by desert locust infestations in West Harerge Zone.

The delegate consists of members of Agriculture, Pastoralists and Environmental Protection and International Relations and Peace Affairs Standing Committees in the parliament also held discussions with farmers of Sire Sado of locality on extents of the damage caused by the locust swarms and measures to be taken in response to disaster.

Farmers of the locality assured the MPs that the locust swarms have caused great damage to sorghum, Maize and Barley and fodder in the area.

Chief Administrator of West Harerge Zone, Abdurahman Abdela told members of the parliament that the desert locust swarms descended to 11 out of 15 woredas of the zone since September 30, 2020 has caused damage to 190 ha of land.

Zonal government along with the community applied both traditional prevention methods and aerial spraying to curtail further spread of the locust manifestation, Abdurahman said, adding that the area is totally free from the infestation.

The government will put into practice various rehabilitation development options and extend humanitarian aid to affected farmers after field screening is conducted by experts, according to the information gained from the House of Peoples Representatives.