The Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza has announces that the country is currently experiencing outbreaks of locusts in the Free State, Northern Cape and Western Cape.
Control measures are currently being implemented to curb the spread of the locusts.
The current strong winds are aiding the flight and spread of the locusts.
“I wish to urge farmers and farmer organisations to alert us whenever they spot these locusts and work with our officials on the ground to curb the spread,” said Minister Didiza.
The department has already dispatched a team of specialists to the affected provinces to work with the provincial departments of Agriculture and Rural Development officials and our entity, the Agricultural Research Council and farmer organisations.
Farmers and ordinary members of the public are advised to report the visibility of these swam in their areas to the following departmental officials, Mr Gert Greyvenstein on 082451 4860, Ms Vuyokazi Mpumlwana on 084760 8176 and Dr Ikalafeng Kgakatsi on 072 198 9882
