DCs given Rs5m each to curb locust infestation

That has destroyed several thousand acres of crops in recent weeks

KARACHI: The agriculture department has tasked the deputy commissioners of Tharparkar, Umerkot, Sanghar and Khairpur with taking effective measures for the elimination of locusts. The deputy commissioners have been allocated Rs5 million each to devise a strategy and take steps to mitigate the threat of locusts, which have destroyed several thousand acres of crops in recent weeks.

Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah had disbursed Rs320 million to the agriculture department a month ago to conduct the operation against the locusts, but the department could not come up with an effective strategy to kill the locusts.

According to Agriculture Minister Ismail Rahu, the Sindh government has allocated Rs320 million for controlling locusts and was preparing a plan of action, out of which Rs5 million have been issued to each deputy commissioners of Tharparkar, Sanghar, Umerkot and Kharpur, who would buy the insecticides and vehicles to kill the locusts.

"We could not conduct spray through planes because it would be harmful so we will spray the insecticide with vehicles,'' the minister said.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 10^th, 2019.