Locusts wreak havoc in Sumba

MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara (JP): Millions of locusts have attacked West Sumba regency in East Nusa Tenggara province, damaging at least 1,000 hectares of paddy fields.

Head of West Sumba's Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Julius Mubu, said on Monday the locusts recently spread to Lewa and Loli districts in the regency after destroying thousands of hectares of paddy and corn fields in East Sumba.

He said his office could not do much to eradicate the locusts, due to shortages of chemical material supplies to spray the pests.(yac)