Bauchi State Allocates N45 Million To Combat Quelea Birds And Pests Outbreak

Bauchi State Allocates N45 Million To Combat Quelea Birds And Pests Outbreak

Bauchi State Government has approved a budget of N45 million to tackle the recent surge in pests, including Quelea birds, locusts, and grasshoppers, affecting farmlands across various local government areas in the state…..READ ALSO Triumphant Rerun: Abubakar Sulaiman Secures Re-Election In Bauchi State House Of Assembly

Governor Bala Mohammed announced this allocation during the launch of an aerial spray operation against Quelea birds at the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport in Bauchi.

Governor Mohammed, represented by the state Commissioner of Agriculture, Professor Simon Madugu Yalams, emphasized the urgency of controlling the outbreak due to its potential threat to food security and the state’s economy. He highlighted the critical role of agriculture in Bauchi’s economy, noting that over 75% of the state’s population is employed in the sector.

The Governor attributed the recent surge in pests to the increased yield resulting from the agricultural transformation policies of the Federal Government. This rise in production has attracted Quelea birds and other pests to the northern states, including Bauchi, leading to significant damage to crops.

Quelea birds, known as one of the most destructive agricultural pests, can devastate crop production and threaten food security. With scientists estimating their population at around 100 million, a flock of 2 million Quelea birds can destroy 20 tonnes of grains in just one day.

To combat this menace, the Bauchi State Government plans to conduct aerial spray operations using chemicals, along with ground control measures by the State Ministry of Agriculture’s fumigation team. The Governor assured communities of the safety of the aerial spray, urging them not to consume any dead birds resulting from the operation due to potential poisoning risks.

The allocation of funds and the launch of aerial spray operations underscore the government’s commitment to safeguarding agricultural productivity and ensuring food security in Bauchi State.

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