Pakistan suggests regional body to tackle locusts threat

FAO offers setting up technical, operation coordination mechanism

With locusts attacking standing crops in different parts of the country and at least three other neighbouring states, Pakistan has proposed setting up a high-level technical committee, comprising senior officers from Southwest Asian countries for effective management and control of the threat.

This was suggested during a high-level ministerial meeting organized by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) and its Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in South West-Asia (SWAC). The meeting had been held following requests from four FAO member countries, including Pakistan, Iran, India, and Afghanistan.

Pakistan was represented by Federal Food Security Ministry Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lt General Muhammad Afzal, National Food Security and Research Secretary Dr Hashim Popalzai and other key technical staff from Pakistan. Ministers and senior officials from Iran, India and Afghanistan and key FAO experts in Rome and Pakistan attended the moot.

Bakhtiar gave an overview of Pakistan’s action plan to control the locust threat. He proposed the formation of a high-level technical committee, comprising senior officers from Southwest Asian countries, for effective management and control of the locust threat.

“Setting up of a new, agile, technical and operational coordination mechanism under the FAO Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in South West-Asia (SWAC) will allow information exchange, addressing gaps and cross border synchronisation of control operations,” said FAO Representative in Pakistan Minà Dowlatchahi.

FAO assistant director-general briefed countries on the current locust situation, the expected migratory patterns of the swarms, and recommendations for preparedness.

The official said that the regions affected by the infestations have been divided into zones.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 14^th, 2020.