Locust threat goes up, farmers a worried lot

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, May 27

The threat of locust attack is looming large over the region as the crop eaters have now reached the Punjab-Rajasthan area and may enter the state just with the flow of wind. Notably, the locusts can fly 150-200 km in a day.

“We have made preparations to deal with the situation, but can’t do much to stop locusts at the day time. These can even fly up to Ludhiana in a single day. We can only kill locusts when these sit at night by spraying some insecticides,” said Jalour Singh, Chief Agriculture Officer, Muktsar.

He added, “The officials in Rajasthan are more trained in tackling locusts and we are in regular touch with them. The insects have now reached Goluwala Pilibanga area of Hanumangarh district in Rajasthan. We had controlled such a situation in some villages of Fazilka district in January this year.”

The Agriculture Department has issued an alert in eight districts of the state, advising farmers to immediately contact officials if they notice locusts. “We have made lists of boom sprayers, availability of insecticides, fire tenders, etc. Besides, we are working beyond duty hours. However, we can’t do much during the day. The locusts are very harmful for vegetation, but not for humans as these don’t bite. These insects first eat small plants and then go for trees,” said a senior functionary of the Agriculture Department.

Meanwhile, some farmers have appealed to the state government to make arrangements of helicopters and planes for aerial insecticide spray.

“There should be better coordination between the Centre and state government about the locusts attack. Besides, the Centre should coordinate with Pakistan to get timely information about the movement of locusts. This information should be conveyed to the farmers as well through the sarpanches,” said Mohit Setia, an orchardist from Abohar in Fazilka district.

Kahan Singh Pannu, Secretary (Agriculture), Punjab, said, “I held a video conference with the chief agriculture officers today and asked them to stay alert and keep all agriculture officers ready to deal with any kind of situation.”