Fighting locusts to cost Morocco $110 million
Morocco, Economics, 1/15/2005

The anti-locust campaign, that started in October 2003, will cost Morocco US $110 million, said, here Thursday, Moroccan Minister of Agriculture, Rural development and Fisheries, Mohand Laenser.

"We spent around US $40 million from October 2003 to June 2004, and an additional US $45 million since last September. We will spend more before the end of the summer" to face locusts invasion, said the minister in an interview with MAP at the end of an international scientific meeting on locusts held in Dakar.

"The overall amount used for fighting the pest will easily exceed US $110," he said, recalling that during locusts invasion of 1978-1989 Morocco spent US $100 million.

According to the Moroccan official, donations and contributions of the international community represent 15pc of the total amount.

The "hardest step" in the fight of locust swarms is the mobilization of financial means and purchasing pesticides in the international market, said Laensar who led a Moroccan delegation to the seminar that brought together representatives of North African and Sub-Saharan countries that were affected by the locust invasion.

There is a lack of balance between offer and demand because producers of pesticides are highly solicited due to the number of countries affected by this plague, he explained, underling that this situation leads to an increase of pesticide prices.

Besides, the Minister noted that Morocco has mobilized over 50 airplanes, 400 vehicles, and a 2000-strong team to combat locust swarms.

Morocco sprayed three million hectares from November 2003 to June 2004, i.e. 50pc of the area treated in the West African region that groups north Africa and West African countries, said Laensar.

The minister warned of a new invasion next March and February, assuring that his country is poised to face it. Laensar hoped the international community will mobilize to help Sahel countries treat more areas.

The Moroccan official had deplored during the seminar that scientific researchers focus on locusts' mode of life and their reproduction, rather than means to eradicate them.

Previous Stories:
  Locust swarms invade south, east of Morocco   (11/23/2004)
  Morocco dispatches more aid to Senegal to fight locusts   (10/14/2004)
  Morocco sends donation to Mauritania to support fight against locust   (1/30/2004)
  Locusts won't be eradicated until next March, minister   (12/25/2003)
  Mauritania fights locust invasion, Moroccan experts due to help   (12/11/2003)

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