Agri is banking on a technology backed by the institute of Microsoft’s late co-founder, Paul Allen, to tackle the infestation of locusts in the E Cape.
bracing for a repeat of last season’s locust swarms, the worst in decades, and is banking on a tracking technology backed by the institute of Microsoft’s late co-founder, Paul Allen, to tackle the infestation.
“Things are quietening down but these locusts have laid eggs,” he said in an interview. “Earth Ranger has allowed us to understand where this has taken place. When conditions are right and these eggs hatch, we will have the resources in place.”Swarms that spread across the Eastern Cape and neighbouring provinces in the summer growing season were as big as 25 000 acres in some cases and the infestation rivalled those seen in 1935 and 1983.
The area is also home to dairy farms and sheep and angora goats, whose hair is used in mohair garments.“This is one of the biggest we have experienced in history,” said Gunther Pretorius, manager for economics and natural resources at Agri Eastern Cape.