The Benin government has issued a communiqué in response to recent attacks by granivorous birds on cereal crops in the Dassari district of Matéri commune. The attacks, caused by birds of the Quélea genus, have raised concerns about potential extensions to other localities. The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries has called for collective and coordinated surveillance by farmers to preserve crops and livelihoods.
The affected areas are located in the controlled occupation zones (ZOC) of the Pendjari park, specifically in the localities of Pouri and Dassari-centre. The crops under threat include rice, sorghum, and millet. To address the situation, the Ministry has recommended five immediate measures for farmers and populations. These include maintaining a continuous presence in fields during the day, organizing collective bird-scaring efforts, and reporting bird movements to agricultural agents or local authorities.
Farmers are advised to ensure continuous presence in fields through rotations to quickly detect bird arrivals and intervene. They are also encouraged to organize collective and coordinated bird-scaring efforts using methods such as shouting, clapping, whistling, and using noise-making devices or moving ribbons. Additionally, farmers should observe the direction of bird movements in the late afternoon and report their gathering places to agricultural agents or local authorities.
The Ministry has also emphasized the importance of harvesting mature crops promptly, with the guidance of extension agents, and storing them safely. Furthermore, farmers are urged to report any new attacks to extension agents, providing details on the location, affected crops, and extent of damage. This information will help authorities respond effectively to the situation.
The government has explicitly banned the use of poison, poisoned baits, and bush fires to control the bird population. These methods are considered hazardous and may have unintended consequences. Instead, the Ministry is promoting solidarity among farmers and collaboration with technical services to mitigate the threat and protect the livelihoods of Dassari residents.
The situation has garnered significant attention, with many expressing concern on social media. Some have shared images and videos of the bird attacks, describing them as unprecedented. The government's response aims to address the immediate needs of affected farmers and prevent further damage to crops.
The Ministry's measures aim to balance the need to protect crops with the need to ensure the safety of farmers and the environment. By working together, the government and local communities hope to minimize the impact of the bird attacks and preserve the food security of the region.
Key points
- The Benin government has banned the use of poison and bush fires to combat bird attacks on crops in Dassari.
