More than 51,000 hectares of land in Ethiopia pest-infested: official

More than 51,000 hectares of land in Ethiopia is pest-infested, an Ethiopian official said on Thursday.

Belayneh Negussie, plant protection Director at Ethiopia's Ministry of Agriculture, said 51,209 hectares of land across Ethiopia has recently been infested with pests.

Negussie said parts of Ethiopia's Gambella, Benishangul-Gumuz and Amhara regions have detected pest infestation in their farmlands, reported state media outlet Ethiopia Broadcasting Corporation (EBC).

"Out of the 51,209 hectares of pest-ridden farmland, 23,219 hectares of farmland has been treated with modern and traditional means of pest control," Negussie added.

He also said Ethiopia is facing the worst pest attack in two years, with efforts being undertaken to ensure there are no substantial crop losses in pest-affected areas.

Ethiopia's Ministry of Agriculture is also conducting preparatory works including chemical spraying in other parts of Ethiopia, which are deemed to be vulnerable to pest infestation.

In addition, the ministry is encouraging local communities to undertake traditional pest control measures to mitigate the impact of the pest invasion on farmlands.