Weather conditions continue to be favourable for rice and other crops in the country. However, harvest prospects are uncertain given the persistence of swarms of Migratory Locust (Locusta migratoria capito) in several regions. Locust infestations, the worst in 40 years covering some 10 million hectares, continue particularly in the south- western part of the country but spreading to the grain- producing mid-western zones. Current control operations are insufficient to significantly reduce the increasing locust numbers, largely due to low stocks of pesticide, pre- positioning logistics, access difficulties and funding delays.
On 23 March, an FAO Press Release warned the international community of the risk that the infestations may increase and spread further in the coming months, posing a serious threat to rice and other crops to be harvested in the next few months. The Government has set up a Crisis Committee and soldiers have been mobilized for the control operations.