Bolivian President Evo Morales has declared a state of emergency to fight a plague of locusts that is decimating crops in the country's agricultural heartland. Bolivian President Evo Morales has declared a state of emergency to fight a plague of locusts that is decimating crops in the country's agricultural heartland. The state of emergency releases funds worth the equivalent more than €700,000 to fight the plague with fumigation. The swarm of locusts first appeared two weeks ago about 100 kilometres south of Santa Cruz. It has spread fast and is now about 30km from the city. The infestation has already destroyed 1,100 hectares of corn, sorghum and beans. Authorities fear the locusts will reach the breadbasket region — the valleys around cities of Cochabamba, Sucre and Tarija — that supplies more than 80% of Bolivia's food.
