Farmers in Somalia are counting their losses, after a new wave of desert locusts destroyed large swaths of farmland across the country. Abdulaziz Billow in Mogadishu reports on how farmers are coping with the massive locust invasion. 

Abdiwahab Ahmed is inspecting his farm on the outskirts of Beledweyne, in central Somalia. A new wave of migrating desert locust has destroyed farmlands in most towns in this region. This footage shows new swarms swelling, migrating and increasing in number, posing a serious threat to crop production in a region that suffers from food insecurity and flooding.

ABDIWAHAB AHMED SANEY Farm Owner "It has left nothing behind. It has destroyed tomato farms, pawpaw, banana plantations, oranges and lemon trees. We are facing severe losses and this will be felt in the markets. We have produced low quantity of tomatoes, bananas, pawpaw and lemons. Farmers, labourers , traders and transport companies feel the loss."

Dahabo Mumin is a labourer at one of the farms here, her work is to collect grass and sell it in the local market. Business is no longer booming for her and many others, large swam of desert locust consumed huge amounts of crops placing people and livestock at great risk.

DAHABO MUMIN Farmer "Locust has exhausted all that was left for our livestock. It has destroyed entire farmlands. We are unable to collect grass in sacks for young animals back home lie we used to do before the infestation."

The situation is worse in Galkayo, the biggest town in central Somalia. Locals are struggling to contain a new invasion. They are using traditional ways like smoke, stones and noise from pots to chase away the locust.

ABDI AHMED Director, Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation "The biggest concern is new migration that is triggered by the wind direction. Our concern is its implication after the rainy season in December and January we have seen new waves coming from Bari, North East and central regions. We have witnessed new migration from Ethiopia."

Last year, authorities declared a national emergency as swarms destroyed large swaths of farmlands across most parts of the country. With the support of UN, Mogadishu acquired helicopters to boost its campaign against the desert locust. The exercise was carried out in the three regions of Puntland, Galmudug and Somaliland.

ABDULAZIZ BILLOW Mogadishu, Somalia "Meanwhile, authorities are now concerned that migrating locusts from neighbouring Kenya and Ethiopia will impact recent effort by the government in containing the infestation especially during the next rainy cycle expected in the months of April and May. Abdulaziz Billow, CGTN, Mogadishu, Somalia."