By Nangayi Guyson
Kampala, Uganda (RTN)- Billions of locusts have invaded the East African countries of Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia and are reported to be entering Uganda at the highest speed possible.
This is believed to be the biggest invasion in decades. The invasion of the ravenous insects nibbling their way through the already climate-ravaged the region is posing a threat to food security.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimated that one locust invasion in Kenya covered around 2,400 square kilometres (930 square miles) and contained up to 200 billion locusts which descend to feed off plants and vegetation.
Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Thursday. The United Nations has released $10 million (about Shs36.8) for aerial pesticide spraying in response.
A locust consumes their own weight in food every day. Farmers face frustration as vegetation for their livestock is consumed by the ravenous locusts.
The FAO warned that the insects could "reproduce rapidly and, if left unchecked, their current numbers could grow 500 times by June,'' spreading to Uganda and South Uganda.
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