LUSAKA, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Zambian government said on Tuesday that collaboration was vital in order to control the African migratory locusts that have invaded the region.

Minister of Agriculture Michael Katambo said the locusts pose great threat to the agriculture sector in the region unless collaborative efforts were enhanced.

"I wish to state that the current outbreak of locusts has affected several countries in the Southern African Development Community. Therefore, the effective control of the locusts requires international collaboration with neighbouring countries," he said in a ministerial statement delivered in Parliament.

The government, he said, has since started engaging the countries especially those that have been identified as breeding areas for the locusts to ensure effective control.

The locusts have been located in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia and Botswana.

In Zambia, the locusts have been seen in three of the country's 10 provinces with the government embarking on field spying program. Enditem

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