Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development George Chaponda said this in Chikwawa when he visited some of the fields that have been affected by the locusts in the district.

“When we got reports of the outbreak we sent about 600 litres of cypermethrin to be sprayed and again we consulted an organisation called the International Red Locust Association of the East and Southern Africa to help us. So, in case another swarm comes, I am assuring the nation that we will be in a better place to respond,” said Chaponda.

Chaponda appreciated the role by Illovo for controlling the situation quickly saying that it posed a threat to the nation as it could disturb winter cropping which government is prioritizing at the moment.

The Minister however also toured maize Illovo Company subcontracted to grow through winter cropping to alleviate the impact of the food shortage in the Malawi.

According to Illovo Sugar Malawi technical field Manager responsible for agronomy Peter Chiipanthenga, Illovo has spent MK8 million to fight the locust outbreak that hit both its sugarcane and maize fields in Chikwawa.

“We hired a plane from Makandi Aviation to do aerial spray and indeed killed all the locusts that affected our fields, but we cannot say we have won the battle against the locusts until we deal with the source. It is a dangerous locusts eruption and it caught us unaware. Anytime we can be attacked again because our action only dealt with the locusts that affected us, but as Illovo we are now prepared,” said Chiipanthenga.

The locusts identified as African migratory locusts reportedly flew into Malawi from Mozambique.