BAHA — Swarms of migratory locusts arrived in Al-Baha region on Wednesday but in small numbers thanks to the Agriculture Ministry's intensive insecticide spraying campaign. Saeed Al-Ghamdi, director of agriculture in the region, said the ministry would continue the spraying campaign to minimize damage to crops. Villagers in large numbers turned out in the farms to harvest the locusts for own consumption and to sell them in the market. A bagful of locusts can be sold for SR200-SR400. Locals believe locusts have great curing powers and can fight several diseases. Eating them would invigorate the old, it was claimed. Locusts are fried after cleaning them in boiled water and eaten with a sprinkle of salt.
