Not sure where to being with this, but locust swarms like this are a force of nature. Maybe you could save your backyard garden with nets or cover, maybe. But not acres and acres of farmland.

>>Couldn’t they do something like stick up big electrified nets at the crop areas?

Over millions and tens of millions of acres? Not doable. Maybe a genetic tweak and then release them to neutralize the rest. Poison will probably kill other beneficial or not so dangerous insects. Either way, a locust party will ruin this year crops for the unfortunate farmer being visited. This is even worst since Africa is already poor

the outer exoskeleton is quite tough and doesn't seem to conduct electricity