Quelea birds, locust control yet to kick-off in some states

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, at an emergency meeting with commissioners of agriculture from the states in Abuja, recently, alerted farmers about impending danger of quelea birds and locusts coming to Nigeria from Niger Republic.  Two weeks later, (on September 17), the federal government launched the Presidency Emergency Intervention Exercise […]

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, at an emergency meeting with commissioners of agriculture from the states in Abuja, recently, alerted farmers about impending danger of quelea birds and locusts coming to Nigeria from Niger Republic. 
Two weeks later, (on September 17), the federal government launched the Presidency Emergency Intervention Exercise for the aerial control of quelea birds and locust in 12 frontline states. 
The intervention exercise was launched in Birnin Kebbi, the capital of Kebbi State. 
The 12 frontline states are Jigawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, Katsina, Taraba and Kano. 
Reports from the frontline states indicate that while progress was made in some areas, states like Yobe and Borno said the swamps are threats to bumper harvests, calling for immediate response. 
In Adamawa State, Governor Muhammadu Bindow, started the campaign to control the menace in the 12 affected local government areas of the state at the Yola International Airport, recently. 
Bindow urged the farmers in the affected local governments to be on the lookout for the swamp of the birds and report same to the authority for swift action. 
The Adamawa State Commissioner of Agriculture, Waziri Ahmadu, said that the affected local areas included Shelleng, Guyuk, Numan, Demsa, Fufore, Yola North and Yola South. 
He said that aerial spray of farmlands was started in the local areas with assistance from the federal government. 
Speaking to the Daily Trust in Yola, the Chairman of the Agricultural Transformation Union, Sulaiman Shallakuza, said farmers could help government identify ‎affected farmlands. ‎
He confirmed the ‎ threat of quela birds in parts of the state, saying the involvement of farmers associations could make the pest control efforts successful. 
In Yobe State, the government acted promptly and conducted survey in areas affected by the quelea birds for easy intervention. 
The Commissioner of Agriculture and Environment, Alhaji Mustapha Gajirima, who disclosed this to the Daily Trust, said that the state government lacked capacity to undertake aerial spray to destroy the birds. 
He said that prompt intervention by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to carry out aerial spray would reduce damage on farmlands. 
According to him, the survey result had been submitted to the authority for intervention, adding that quelea birds were invading farmlands in large numbers. 
“We appeal to the federal government to hasten its support,” he said. 
“But, for the meantime, the state has within its capacity, embarked on motorised and manual spray on farms in the affected communities.” 
Sarkin Noman Gashua, Alhaji Dame Azbak, said that communities in Jakusko Local Government Area were experiencing destruction of their farmland by the quela birds, adding: “Many farmlands have been destroyed in Amus village and other locations in the area. We want government to come to our aid before this would get out of hand.” 
Dr Gideon MshelBwala, the Director of Veterinary and Pest Control Services of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, whose department was tasked with handling the project, said that the federal government was making progress. 
He said that the project was yet to commence in Borno State because of security issues, adding they were using hand-spray technology in Borno to contain the birds and locusts.