Nairobi, Dec. 9 -- The government has stepped up efforts to avert future invasion by desert locusts by launching an early warning centre to serve local farmers.

Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi said the centre will help the government to detect early signs of an invasion and put in place measures to avert them.

This, he said, will ensure that farmers are protected from the migratory pest that led to loss of crops in over 24 counties in 2020.

The CS revealed that the facility has been put up with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (Fao).

"We thank Fao for the technical and budgetary support extended to us in controlling the desert locust menace. Without the strategic support the da...