Locusts are said to have invaded localised farms in Paramount Chief Chitimukulu's area in Mungwi District.

SWARMS of locust-like grasshoppers have invaded localised farms in Paramount Chief Chitimukulu's area in Mungwi District.

The grasshoppers were first spotted in the area last month feeding on vegetables but had since grown and began feeding on maize crops.

One of the affected farmers, Thomas Mulenga described the grasshoppers as black in colour and that they had begun spreading to unaffected areas.

Mr Mulenga and other affected farm owners have appealed to the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to help them with pesticides to kill the insects.

Kasama District Agricultural Co-ordinator, Jacob Shawa confirmed the presence of the grasshoppers in the area and requested the agricultural camp officer in Mungwi to collect samples for analysis at the Northern provincial agricultural office in Kasama.