Editor
Western Region Grasshopper Trappers Association, encompassing grasshopper dealers in the western region, is grappling with significant losses as the much-anticipated grasshopper season remains uncertain. This uncertainty is causing financial strain and anxiety within the community.
Fadson Mugisha Magezi, the chairman of the association, acknowledged the shared frustration among its members. They are actively involved in harvesting grasshoppers and are currently facing losses, particularly due to substantial investments in electricity fees for the season.
Nicholas Ahimbisibwe Katsigaire, the vermin control officer for Mbarara district and an expert in entomology, attributed the delayed grasshopper season to environmental degradation caused by human activities. He emphasized that if people continue encroaching on grasshopper habitats, these insects may become a rarity, turning the once-thriving season into a mere myth.
