"Invasive species could cost the agricultural sector more than $3.5 trillion across the continent, a new study estimated."

"LAGOS, Nigeria — The financial burdens caused by invasive pests and plants in Africa may total more than $3.5 trillion per year, according to a study published Thursday.

The finding, published in the journal CABI Agriculture and Bioscience, adds to a list of food security challenges in Africa that includes climate change, armed conflict and a raging locust plague.

“The high cost was surprising to us,” said René Eschen, a scientist with the Center for Agriculture and Bioscience International, a nonprofit research group, and lead author on the project. “Our study demonstrates that there is an urgent need for measures to mitigate current impacts of invasive alien species and prevent the spread of new alien species across Africa.”"

Shola Lawal reports for the New York Times May 19, 2021. [2]