Hello everyone from East Sumba, how are you?
Kambaniru River is the life source of sumba people living in the vicinity.
The river is not only a source of water for daily needs, but is also a very important resource so that people can use this flow of water to grow their crops, vegetables, fruits, and gardens. Every day, in principle vegetables, fruits, or other food sources are harvested.
Regarding the harvest of corn (the basic product of local food with rice), in principle everything goes as usual every year… For everything to run normally, nature must be good and offer what is most valuable: Sun and water, a real dry season, and a real rainy season. But this year is not a season that disrupts crops.
In addition to pandemics, economic crises that hit the population of Indonesia’s poorest regions, farmers must face a real scourge: Pests that damage crops and cause hunger.
Pests and other parasites are always a challenge for farmers all over the world, for sure! In Sumba, a parasite, pests are present massively today as you can see in the images we added in this News. And since misfortune never passes, one has to face more than one type of plant pest. These include caterpillars and locusts among other plant pests.
In 2020, the big challenge for farmers in Sumba is not only related to the economic turmoil caused by the pandemic. But also the decrease in vegetable demand related to the crisis, discrimination of market gardeners in Lambanapu, and surrounding areas (including Kiritana) due to the arrival of COVID-19 infected patients in these areas, villages… But also because of the attack of locusts that damage plants and essential items to eat alone, to fill the stomach!
Large numbers of locusts damage crops in some areas of eastern Sumba, such as Mauliru, causing crop failure in some rice fields. In Kiritana, the same locusts attack corn and vegetables. Even in Lapinu which is quite far from waingapu city has been very much attacked by pests. Many producers and farmers complain to government authorities about pests! But not much has been heard about prevention or eradication efforts from agriculture-related agencies.
Working with people who do activities in Kiritana, Kawan Baik Indonesia and Fair Future Indonesia provide packages of food to the affected communities.
Thanks to the volunteers who are very enthusiastic to deliver “Goodies bag” to each house: Edwin from Namu Angu Youth Forum in Malumbi Village and also to “Sumba Volunteer” with Indah, Alan, Orfi, Memey, and Desi.
If you would like to support our activities in Sumba, we recommend that you click here at this link. Send a love of light and see you in Sumba kawans!
Kawan Nofi, Waingapu, August 15, 2020.
#WeAreStarvinginSumba #KawanBaikBerbagi #KawanBaikIndonesia #KawanSumba
LOCUST INVASION DESTROYS EVERYTHING IN MINUTES
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Locusts are usually insects that live on land with strong hind legs that allow them to escape threats by jumping strong. As hemimetabolous insects, they do not undergo a perfect metamorphosis; they hatch from eggs into nymphs or “hoppers” that undergo five mabung, becoming more similar to adult insects at each stage of development. At high population densities and under certain environmental conditions, some locust species can change color and behavior and form herds. In these circumstances, they are known as locusts.
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Locusts are plant-eaters, with some species sometimes becoming serious pests on cereals, vegetables, and pastures, especially when they swarm their millions as locusts and destroy crops in large areas. They protect themselves from predators with camouflage; when detected, many species try to surprise predators with flashes of brightly colored wings when jumping and (if grown up) launch themselves into the air, usually flying only for short distances.
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