Bauchi State Allocates ₦45 Million To Combat Invasive Agricultural Pests

News in Brief: - The Bauchi State government has allocated ₦45 million to tackle a recent outbreak of crop pests like Quelea birds, threatening food security. - They plan to use aerial spraying and ground control measures to combat the destructive birds. The Bauchi State government has pledged ₦45 million to fight a recent outbreak of crop-devastating pests including Quelea birds, locusts, and grasshoppers, according to a news report. The funds will be used to purchase agrochemicals and equipment for aerial spraying and ground control measures. Speaking to reporters during the flagging-off ceremony for an aerial spray campaign against the invasive pests, Governor Bala Mohammed highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting the critical role agriculture played in the state’s economy. He said the sector employed over 75% percent of the population who depended on it for their livelihood. Interestingly, Governor Mohammed attributed the pest upsurge to the success of the federal government's agricultural transformation policies. He said that this has led to increased crop yields, particularly grains. This abundance, unfortunately, he stated, has attracted these destructive birds and insects. [caption id="attachment_8737" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Quelea Birds.[/caption] Quelea birds are recognised as a major threat to food security across Africa. Studies estimate their population to be around 100 million, with a flock of just 2 million capable of consuming 20 tonnes of grains in a single day. Their devastating impact translates to millions of hectares of farmland destroyed annually, causing significant grain shortages. Given this backdrop, the Bauchi state governor explained that aerial spraying with chemicals and ground control measures implemented by the state's Ministry of Agriculture fumigation teams are the most effective methods for controlling these destructive pests. In view of this, the state’s commissioner for Agriculture, Professor Simon Madugu Yalams, reassured residents about the aerial spraying program, stating that the low-flying aircraft should not be a cause for alarm. However, he cautioned against consuming any birds killed by the spraying due to the potential health risks associated with the pesticides.