| Welcome to Global Village Space

Friday, October 4, 2024

Pakistan carries out locust control operations in 538,934 hectares

Year 2020 became a year of challenges. Beside pandemic, South Asia is facing locust attacks threatening food security. However, Pakistan has initiated a fight against locusts. Farmers can contact National Locust Control Center number for guidance at 03205800120.

According to details released by the National Locust Control Center (NLCC) on Tuesday, joint teams of the Ministry of Food Security, Provincial Departments of Agriculture and Pakistan Army are conducting a comprehensive survey and control operation against locusts in different districts of the country. More than 1,142 joint military teams are taking part in the operation.

So far 238399 square kilometers (approximately 24 million hectares) have been surveyed, while control operations have been carried out in an area of 5389 square kilometers (approximately 538934 hectares). In the last 24 hours, 96547 hectare area was surveyed in Punjab province and locust infestation was confirmed in 2 districts (Mianwali and DG Khan) and anti-locust operation was carried out in 63 hectare area. More than 2191 people and more than 217 vehicles took part in the operation.

Read more: Tiddi Dal: Can Pakistan & India jointly combat the worst locust attack?

So far 8032931 hectare area has been surveyed and 173998 hectare area has been operated in districts across the province. In the last 24 hours, 101302 hectares area has been surveyed in Sindh province and the presence of locusts in 8 districts (Naushahro Feroze, Jamshoro, Dadu, Shaheed Benazirabad, Kashmore, Khairpur and Shikarpur) has been confirmed.

The operation involved 35 teams of 387 people (including Pakistan Army) and more than 64 vehicles. So far 3126604 hectares area has been surveyed and 38672 hectare area has been operated across the province.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 70675 hectares area was surveyed in last 24 hours and locust infestation was confirmed in 10 districts (DI Khan, Tank, South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Lakki Marwat, Karak, Karam, Orakzai and Khyber).

An anti-locust operation was performed. More than 80 teams of more than 912 people (including Pakistan Army) and more than 115 vehicles took part in the operation.

So far 3335304 hectare area has been surveyed and 411143 hectares area has been operated in the province. In the last 24 hours, 159805 hectare area was surveyed in Balochistan and 33 districts (Khuzdar, Awaran, Noshki, Chaghi, Gwadar, Lasbela, Ketch, Panjgur, Kharan, Washik, Quetta, Barkhan, Dera Bugti, Daki, Harnai, Location of locust hearts in Jaffarabad, Jhal Magsi, Bolan, Kalat, Qila Abdullah, Qila Saifullah, Kohlu, Loralai, Mastung, Musa Khel, Naseerabad, Pishin, Sibi, Sarab, Sohbatpur, Zhob and Ziarat) An anti-locust operation was performed.

Read more: How swarming locust can affect agriculture production in Pakistan?

More than 1205 people and more than 105 vehicles took part in the operation. So far 9055719 hectare area has been surveyed and 285121 hectare area has been operated in the province. In addition to aerial spraying with the help of airplanes and helicopters, non-conventional methods are also being used for effective control of locust during control operations. Farmers can contact National Locust Control Center numbers for locust presence and for more information and guidance. PTCL 051-9274980-2 UAN 051-111222999 Mobile 03205800120-4.

Online Int’l News with additional input by GVS News Desk