Threat of locust attack looms over South Punjab

Agriculture dept forms 102 teams to deal with situation in Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan and Bahawalpur

DERA GHAZI KHAN: Since the threat of a locust attack on crops is looming over South Punjab, the provincial government has formed 102 special teams to deal with the situation.

Around 23 teams will work in Dera Ghazi Khan, 36 in Bahawalpur and 43 in Multan to monitor the possibility of a locust attack. Moreover, all relevant departments have also been put on alert to deal with any emergency situation in Multan, Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan.

A few days ago, Punjab Chief Secretary Yousaf Naseem Khokhar had directed the authorities concerned to evolve a plan to deal with the threat of a locust attack in South Punjab.

The Punjab Agriculture Department has bought massive aerial and land spray of pesticide sprays to control a locust attack. Punjab Pest Warning Director General Syed Zafaryab Haider told The Express Tribune that the Federal Plant Protection Department will also provide aircrafts to Punjab.

Commissioner Dera Ghazi Khan Division Asadullah Faiz said that the divisional and district administration is monitoring the movement of locusts continuously and no locust has been found anywhere in Dera Ghazi Khan Division so far.

Earlier, the Punjab Agriculture Department secretary said that they were taking care of cotton crops. He added that farmers should be provided training on pest scouting. Haider assured that farmers are being providing vocational guidance to deal with a possible locust attack on cotton crops. He had also reviewed arrangements for cotton crops and pest scouting in different areas of Dera Ghazi Khan, Jampur and Rajanpur.

Faiz had assured that the administration would cooperate with the agriculture department because Rojhan and Rahim Yar Khan are adjacent to Sindh’s affected district and there is a possibility of an attack.

Bio Technology Director Dr Zafar Qureshi said that officials of the agriculture department are visiting the cotton zone frequently to guide farmers so that practical steps are taken to solve the problems of farmers. He shared that the department is trying to ensure the availability of standard agriculture medicines and fertilisers on affordable prices.

He pointed out that teams under the supervision of 102 officers are providing guidance to the farmers to review insect attacks and diseases on cotton crops. He said that pest scouting process is underway. He shared that he had a meeting with Dera Ghazi Khan Commissioner Asadullah Faiz and discussed the possible locust attack.

The agriculture department is organising awareness seminars in Rajanpur and Kot Mithan for farmers and livestock workers on a regular basis.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 7^th, 2019.