This conference comes after sightings of brown locusts were previously reported in the Northern Cape as well as the Free State, among other provinces. 

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Zandisile Luphahla, the spokesperson of the Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, says several agricultural organisations from the mentioned provinces attended the meeting where plans were discussed in preparation for a possible outbreak of locusts this year.

The conference, which started on Wednesday 27 October, comes after locust plagues broke out in the Northern Cape last year as well as before winter this year, and were reported on numerous farms in, among others, the ZF Mgcawu region, as well as the John Taolo Gaetsewe and Namakwa regions.

Luphahla says the importance of joint control of locust pests, as well as legislation on locust control, was one of the points of discussion as access to farms in the past was a challenge for locust officers.

Other challenges that came under the loop during day one of the conference were the issues of payment of locust officers which were not done on time. Luphahla says the department is working on finding ways on how best they can deal with this situation to prevent it from happening again.

Luphahla urges anyone who spots locusts to report their sightings at their nearest agriculture department. People can also contact their local agricultural organisations.

Farmers in the Free State can contact the locust control team leaders to help them in the relevant areas:

Hennie Groblelaar - 0734455430 - Luckhoff and nearby areas

Joggie du Plessis - 0829265660 - Vanderkloof area

George de Vos - 0724954133 - Phillipolis and surroundings

Ronnie Cawood - 0824687650 - Ghaap area, Boshof and nearby areas

Furthermore, the public can also report these swarms by calling the following numbers in the Northern Cape: De Aar Depot - 053 631 3621 or Upington Depot - 082 457 2906.

OFM News/Elsabé Richard and Roderick Titus