Yemen braced for locusts battle

SANA'A, June 15 (Saba) - Measures have been taken in Yemen, with the
agricultural authorities saying an integrated campaign to fight
swarms of locusts, that may arrive in the country from the African
Horn, is underway.

The Desert Locusts Control Center (DLCC) said equipment to spray
fields and cars to be used in the process have been readied after
the FAO said that a swarm of locusts would hit the provinces of
Shabwa, Hadramout and Mareb.

"We have 24 cars ready to launch efforts against locusts until now,"
said director of Prevention at the ministry of Agriculture and
Irrigation Abdullah al-Sayani.

The ministry has surveyed 8215 hectares in the three provinces
probably to be hit by locusts.

On Sunday, the UN Agriculture and Food Organization FAO warned Yemen
of locusts, saying swarms of locusts would arrive in the country
from the African Horn.

In March, Yemen braced for a new battle with locusts after the
organization said swarms of locusts were on their way to the country
from Somalia.

Locusts were driven by seasonal winds.

Large quantities of pesticides and other equipment were distributed
to the areas anticipated to be attacked by locusts, particularly
those near Somali coasts.