Locust Invasion

The livelihood of farmers and other food growers in East Africa is under
attack from locusts. Authorities say swarms of millions of locusts are
ravaging large swathes of farmland and vegetation. Millions of people are
at risk after the insects destroyed crops in Eritrea, Kenya, Ethiopia,
Somalia, South Sudan and Uganda. The swarms of locusts are spreading
and could affect the agriculture, bushland and forests of neighboring
countries. The United Nations' Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)
report that some swarms have been sighted as far afield as Yemen and
Oman in the Gulf. It is the worst locust invasion in 70 years and some say it
is reaching Biblical proportions.
The locust invasion is seriously affecting the lives of over 12 million people.
Many of these were already experiencing food insecurity due to poor
harvests from a lack of rain. The swarms of locusts will only exacerbate the
plight of people living in the region. Locusts are extremely voracious pests.
One locust can consume food which is equivalent to its entire body weight
in just 24 hours. A small swarm could chomp crops which is enough food to
feed 35,000 people in just one day. Esther Kithuka, a farmer in Kenya,
expressed her concern about the invasion. She said: "We depend a lot on
this season and we worry that the locusts will destroy our harvest and we
will end up remaining hungry through the rest of the year [until] next
cropping season."
Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1 livelihood a. an occasion when a large number of people or

. things come to a place in an annoying and
unwanted way
      2 swarm b. Causing severe and extensive damage to.
.
      3 ravaging c. Plants that are grown as food, especially a grain,
. fruit, or vegetable.
      4 swathe d. A way of securing and buying the necessities of life.
.
      5 crops e. To or at a distance.
.
      6 afield f. A large or dense group of insects, especially flying
. ones.
      7 invasion g. A broad strip or area of something.
.

    Paragraph 2

      8. insecurity h. A destructive insect or other animal that attacks

crops, food, livestock, etc.
      9. plight i. To chew food noisily.
      10 voracious j. Make (a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling)
. worse. .
      11 pest k. A dangerous, difficult, or otherwise unfortunate
. situation.
      12 chomp l. Having the same amount, value,, etc..
.
      13 equivalent m. Wanting or devouring great quantities of food.
.
      14 exacerbate n. The state of being open to danger or threat; lack of
. protection.
Synonym Match; Match the following synonym from the article.

1. livelihood
2. ravaging
3. at risk
4. sighted
5. exacerbate
6. plight
7. depend
8. expressed
9. invasion

a. in peril
b. worsen
c. difficult situation
d. source of income
e. conveyed
f. rely
g. influx
h. ruining
i. spotted

Discussion

1. What do you know about locusts?

2. What damage can locusts do?
3. Why do you think this invasion is happening?
4. What adversely affects agriculture in your country?
5. What are the biggest pests in your country?
6. What would happen if there were food shortages in your country?
7. Would you eat dishes made from locusts?