Ethiopia, known for its rich agricultural history, is facing a new challenge as locust swarms threaten the livelihoods of farmers across the country.
The recent outbreak of desert locusts, the most devastating migratory pests in the world, has caused widespread devastation to crops in Ethiopia. The pests have been feasting on crops such as maize, teff, and sorghum, leaving farmers struggling to feed their families and earn a living.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the locust swarms have infested over 500,000 hectares of land in Ethiopia, with the potential to cause up to $2.1 billion in damages to crops. The ministry has launched a massive aerial spraying campaign to control the spread of the locusts, but experts warn that more needs to be done to prevent further damage.
Farmers in affected areas are desperate for help, as many have already lost their entire crop yield for the season. In response, the government has announced plans to provide emergency relief assistance to farmers, including seeds and fertilizers to re-plant destroyed crops.
The locust outbreak comes at a time when Ethiopia is already facing food insecurity due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other ongoing challenges. The government is calling for international support to help combat the locust infestation and ensure that farmers can recover from the damage.
As the country grapples with this new crisis, farmers are hopeful that with the help of the government and the international community, they can overcome this challenge and continue to feed their families and contribute to Ethiopia's agricultural economy.
Select a current topic based on related to agriculture and write a news story on news paper in Ethiopia?
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