Somaliland govt set to use aircraft-spraying to fight locust

Hargeisa (Somaliland.com) – Somaliland’s Ministry of Agriculture has reversed its position on using pesticide sprays to fight the locust infestation.

The minister of agriculture, Ahmed Mumin seed, said today that aircraft will now spray locust that has infested Somaliland’s southern border with Ethiopia.

Ahmed Mumin said the Somali region of Ethiopia will provide planes to spray locust in Somaliland. He added that Somaliland airports will be used by these Ethiopian planes. The minister came before the House of Representatives’ subcommittee of Environment.

The announcement contradicts a statement by the minister in late October this year in which he declined using sprays against locust. In an interview with CBA, the minister said because of the plentiful rainy season, the use of plane pesticides was not appropriate for Somaliland.

The minister did not give any reason for the reversal of the decision. Nor did he reported on the results of the quest for natural remedy without environmental side effects, that he had said the ministry was working on.

On the other hand, the minister announced that the government will tell the World Food Program to stop bringing food aid to the country before the local produce is exhausted. Minister Mumin Seed said before making the request, the ministry will first account for the national crop production this year. This move is meant to protect farmers in the country who accrue losses when free food aid comes into the market at the same time as their harvest.