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The Kenyan government is killing millions of red-billed quelea birds that have invaded farms, putting thousands of acres of rice fields under threat. A persistent drought in the Horn of Africa has reduced the amount of native grass seed that is the queleas' preferred food source. In 2021, the Food and Agricultural Organization estimated crop losses attributable to the birds amounted to $50m. Spraying fenthion, a pesticide, has been the method of choice in fighting the birds in Africa, but the chemical has been described by researchers as toxic. Jafeth Owidi is a farmer and chairman of the Okana rice scheme in Ahero, Kisumu county - the region most threatened by quelea populations. He says he supports the government spraying scheme to control the birds as it means farmers will be able to produce more food and meet the needs of the people. The manual way to scare birds is costly and is not very effective. (Photo: Girl watching red-billed quelea birds fly away from field in Kisumu, Kenya Credit: Luke Dray/Getty Images)