Quang Binh Province Department of Agriculture and Environment has started deploying drones to spray insecticides in Viet Trung Farm Town, Bo Trach District, where a sudden locust outbreak has ravaged more than 10 hectares of bamboo shoots.
According to Tran Dinh Hiep, the department's deputy director, locusts are concentrated in remote forest areas, making drone spraying an effective way to cover large zones while minimising risks to residents and the environment.
In more populated areas, residents have resorted to manual methods such as using nets, releasing poultry to eat the insects, and collecting them for composting or destruction. However, due to the swarm's overwhelming density, coordinated action between authorities and the public is essential.
Hiep added that locusts typically lay eggs from September to November, hatching between March and April. Proactively disturbing the soil and destroying the eggs at the end of the year is key to reducing future damage.
Agricultural officials are currently working with the Bo Trach District People's Committee to assess the extent of the damage and monitor the outbreak. Emergency measures are being implemented to prevent the spread and support affected farmers if needed.
Over the past month, Viet Trung Farm Town residents were alarmed by the sudden appearance of a large swarm of locusts that had aggressively attacked local bamboo shoots.
According to town authorities, this is the first time such a large-scale infestation has been recorded in the area. Concerns are growing as the swarm expands, threatening the entire bamboo-growing region.
Bamboo shoots are a vital year-round cash crop that provides a stable income for local farmers. Continued damage could severely impact their ability to regenerate, threatening the livelihoods of many households.