“Importers are experiencing delays,” said Prof Boga, noting that chemicals for aerial spraying were the hardest hit. “This further complicates other challenges we already had because the pesticides in our possession are inadequate following the slow procurement process. “We have inadequate control equipment, inadequate surveillance and spray aircraft and other logistical challenges for surveillance and distribution of control equipment and pesticides,” he said in a status report sent to the Nation. “Hopper bands continue to develop and form an increasing number of first-generation immature swarms in northern and central counties,” FAO reported earlier this week. “While earlier swarms have been less destructive as earlier feared, experts warn that the impact could be more devastating because farmers will have crops in fields.

Source: Daily Nation March 21, 2020 05:48 UTC