Locusts devour crops on 15,000 hectares in Loralai

QUETTA:

Balochistan Agriculture Department Deputy Director Mohibullah Kakar has said a survey of 188,980 hectares of agricultural land in Loralai revealed that 8,883 hectares of orchards and 6,030 hectares of vegetables have been damaged due to the locust invasion.

Kakar, who is also the focal person, stated this in a meeting with landowners and officials of the agriculture department to discuss thoroughly locust control, performance of the agriculture department and the problems of landowners in Zhob division.

The meeting, held at the Loralai commissioner's office, was chaired by Balochistan Agriculture Secretary Kambar Dashti.

Dashti assured landowners of provision of possible assistance in farming keeping in view the loss of the agricultural land due to locust invasion.

“The Balochistan Agriculture Department is utilising all available resources, including pesticide spray against locust swarms.”

The provincial secretary said the measures to eradicate locust were in process under the National Action Plan.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 12^th, 2020.