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FAO: Funds running out in battle against Madagascar’s locusts
22.01.2015 08:02 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) —
Funds are running out to fight a battle against an ongoing plague of locusts in Madagascar, UN Radio says referring to the UN FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) recent report.
As to the report, an extra US$10.6 million is urgently needed to avoid a serious food security challenge for 13 million people on the south-east African island.
Annie Monard, who leads FAOs emergency response to the locust plague, says spraying operations are necessary through the end of the rainy season in May.
« We have to be sure that all locust population are at a low level, low density level, and not able to start again quickly another upsurge or another plague,» she admits.
A locust plague that started spreading across Madagascar in 2012 was successfully halted last year.
FAO says the first quarter of the year is critical as wingless «hopper» locust bands are currently breeding.
These hoppers are easier to combat as they move more slowly than winged adults.
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