A new wave of locust invasion has led caused farmers in Somaliland to incur heavy losses.
Most farmers in Awdal and Salal are helpless as they watch their toil disappear right before their eyes as locusts attack their crops.
Last year’s swarms left plenty of larvae behind.
That generation of larvae has now matured and become full-grown locusts capable of causing much damage to any foliage they encounter.
Some of the worst-hit areas include Harirad, Dila, and Baki.
Consequently, farmers in these regions say they have nothing to look forward to come the end of April, which is usually the harvesting time.
Further, farmers say the invasion has come at a bad time when they are marking the Holy Month of Ramadan.
One farmer said he invested $5,000 in his watermelon farm. He expected to harvest several truckloads of watermelons but that dream now seems to be over.