Agri dept warns of locust swarms

The Sindh Agriculture Department issued a new alert regarding the threat of a locust swarm descending on Sindh's crops on Monday.

According to the notification, locusts may invade crops in the coastal areas of Sindh and Balochistan, adding that the United Nations subordinate Food and Agriculture Organisation had recommended an immediate survey and spray drive on the crops to avoid losses.

The locusts may swarm across the province with winds blowing in from Indian Gujrat and Rajasthan, with invasions expected in Sindh's desert areas, including Nara, Khipro, Chachro, Diplo, Badin and Jamshoro.

Sindh Agriculture Minister Ismail Rahoo claimed his department's teams were actively working to deal with the threat of the locust invasions, insisting that they had made all possible efforts and saved the crops of Sindh's farmers during the previous such invasion.

He further said that the federal government should play its part in in this regard, so that impoverished farmers did not suffer more losses.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 27^th, 2020.