Floods devastate locust harvest in Vhembe

It is summer in South Africa, and in the northern parts of Limpopo, it is mealie harvesting season. But alongside maize, another seasonal harvest quietly takes place in rural communities — locusts. However, recentheavy floods in parts of Limpopohave dealt a severe blow to informal locust harvesters in the Vhembe district, eroding breeding grounds and wiping out key collection areas that many rural families depend on for food andincome.

Normally after good rains, we expect locusts. But these floods were too much. The water destroyed the areas where we collect.

Now there is nothing to sell. In villages across Vhembe, locust harvesting is part of a small but active informal trade. While the market may be limited to specific communities, dried locusts are bought and sold locally, providing essential household income.

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However, therecent floodinghas disrupted this fragile ecosystem in Mapate village. “Normally after good rains, we expect locusts,” local harvester Rivhadali Kwinda said. Now there is nothing to sell.” The floods have left harvesters without supply for both the market and home consumption.

Locusts are rich in protein and are consumed in some rural communities as an affordable alternative to meat. Although commercial farmers often view them as destructive pests that damage maize, sorghum and wheat fields, for informal harvesters they represent both nutritional and economic opportunity. Dried locusts are typically sold in traditional zinc cups or one-litre buckets, with prices varying depending on supply and location.

A zinc cup of dried locusts can sell for between R120 and R200, while a one-litre bucket ranges from R300 to R350. “We sell locusts at Thohoyandou market, especially dried ones,” said Kwinda. “It may look small, but it helps us buy groceries and pay for school needs. Now there is no supply because of the floods.”

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