Sindh, Centre look to each other for locust control as farmers fear for crops

Infestation has entered populated areas where only ground sprays can be conducted, says Abadgar Board VP

HYDERABAD: As the locust swarms continue to cut a swathe through the agricultural fields in parts of Sindh, the federal and provincial governments appear to be shifting responsibility on each other for terminating the harmful insects. The Sindh government has asked the Centre to depute more insect control teams to actively engage in both aerial and field spray.

"The first generation of locusts has already caused around Rs500 million to Rs600 million loss to the crops. The second generation, if it manages to grow in far larger number over the next week, will wreak havoc on the crops," warned Zahid Hussain Bhurgari, general secretary of Sindh Chamber of Agriculture (SCA) while talking to The Express Tribune. "If the provincial government can provide Rs4 billion subsidy on sugar, it can spend Rs100 to Rs200 million on paying for the spray and other equipment required for aerial and ground sprays."

While the provincial government seems to be relying on the federal government-led aerial and field operations, the farmers want the province to utilise its own resources and manpower instead of wasting time waiting for the Centre. "The provincial government will also have to play a critical role in quickly identifying and devising control measures," said Sindh Abadgar Board Vice President Mehmood Nawaz Shah, pointing out that the infestation has also entered the populated areas where only ground sprays can be carried out instead of aerial one.

Locusts swarm 6 Sindh districts, devour crops

The locusts have attacked crops in Khairpur, Jamshoro, Matiari, Sanghar, Nawabshah, Noshehro Feroze and Sukkur districts so far. The farmers claim that the insects are more active in Khairpur, Jamshoro, Nawabshah and Sukkur.

The director-general (DG)of Sindh Agriculture Extension wing, Hidayatullah Chajro, informed The Express Tribune that the Centre's Department of Plant Protection (DPP), which is primarily responsible for fighting the insects, has been requested to increase its manpower in Sindh. "We have asked them to depute at least one team in each division of Sindh," he said, adding that currently one aerial team and one field team are operating in the province.

"The provincial government has set up emergency centres in each district to monitor and report the presence of locusts. We need a team in each division which can be immediately moved to conduct field spray". An official source said that Sindh's chief secretary assured the Centre at a meeting on Tuesday that the province will also contribute its resources besides providing monitoring services.

Chajro said that the Centre has also been requested to carry out satellite imaging of the areas under attack by the locusts. Hyderabad division Commissioner Muhammad Abbass Baloch claimed that Jamshoro has been cleared of locusts but the operation is underway in Matiari district. He acknowledged that the division is rich in agriculture and a further spread of locusts can endanger the crops. On Wednesday new videos emerged on the movement of locusts in Khairpur. The DG, however, denied that the insects have crossed Noshehro Feroze district.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 27^th, 2019.