The Western Cape Department of Agriculture has made R5 million in emergency funding available to combat locust swarms in the province.
MEC Dr Ivan Meyer says the funds are for personal protective equipment, sprayer pumps and aerial spraying support to teams combatting the outbreak
He says this is critical for food security and rural livelihoods.
Meyer says the infestation levels, including the new areas it has migrated into, have placed enormous pressure on farmers in the Central and Little Karoo.
He says although this is the responsibility of the National Government he felt it necessary to protect the crops of Western Cape farmers.
A joint operations centre has also been established to give daily updates on the outbreak.
This week swarms were spotted in Calitzdorp and near the town of De Rust.
The brown locust plague affecting the Northern and Eastern Cape since last year has already cost the Department of Agriculture over R74 million.
This included the cost of appointing and training contractors and purchasing insecticides and related safety material.
The outbreak is described by many as the worst the country has ever seen.
