Environment

Locust plague threatens Madagascar

Madagascar is suffering from a locust plague that may harm at least 1.5 million hectares of farmland, or two thirds of the total farmland of the country, by September 2013.

The authorities has promised to earmark 2 million Ariary (US$1 million) to combat locust plague, but according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the campaign requires US$22 million and an additional fund of US$19 million.

More than 90 percent of people earn a living from farming in Madagascar.