Locust attack rice fields in Kupang

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: First they ate South Sulawesi, now huge swarms of locusts have decimated at least 177 hectares of paddy fields across Kupang.

After two weeks of the plague, farmers fear that the rice harvest would be completely ruined.

Kupang Regent Ibrahim Agustinus Medah said government officials had sprayed insecticide in areas attacked by the locusts to ensure they didn't come back. -- JP