Pests attack Sumba crops

MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara (JP): Around 750 hectares of crops have been destroyed by locusts in the past few weeks, according to the head of food crops of East Sumba.

The official, Umbu Kaludang, was quoted as saying over the weekend that the pests had attacked crops in 26 villages. He hoped the government could help wipe them out as the local agricultural agency had ran out of pesticides. Residents were now trying traditional methods such as burning them.

The locusts, locals said, were found in villages in the districts of Panuga Londu, Rindumalulu, Tandung, Lewa, Paberiwai and Waingapu town.

"They increase rapidly because one locust can lay eggs four times at 400 eggs each time," Kalundang said as quoted by Pos Kupang daily.

Separately Kawango village head Petrus Kondanglinmu said farmers there feared for their corn harvests. A failure would be the second since 1997. Another official said famine was feared if harvests failed. (yac)