Chances of locusts reaching Karnataka remote: Agriculture Minister BC Patil

Amid locusts attack in some parts of country, Karnataka government on Thursday claimed chances of a massive locust swarm reaching state are remote due to change in wind direction.

"...good thing is that wind is t blowing towards Karnataka..according to MET department report wind is expected to be towards a different direction,99.99 per cent it (locust) will t come to Karnataka, so farmers need t worry," Agriculture Minister B C Patil told reporters.

As a precautionary measure, to face situation in case of a locust swarm, a committee, comprising Agriculture and Horticulture directors and senior officials, has been constituted, and officials have been directed to visit Kalaburagi, Bidar, Koppal and Yadgir districts.

"Our officials are in constant touch with officials in Maharashtra and are monitoring situation," he added. Patil along with Horticulture Minister Narayan Gowda today held discussions with experts, disaster manment cell officials and top officials of departments regarding locust swarm.

In last few months, locust attacks have been reported from many parts of country, including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra. insects eat up crops in a field y attack, inflicting dam to farm production.

Mentioning about change in wind direction, an official release said locusts are about 450 km away from Bidar district border, and may t reach Karnataka. Swarms of locusts have been reportedly seen in Maharashtra's Gondia district.

Stating that according to experts locusts have appeared in large numbers due to good rains last year in Rajasthan, a desert area, Patil said it has started moving in an eastward direction w. 

"y travel along wind direction and t against it," he said. minister also said as a precautionary measure, y have stocked pesticide chlorpyrifos and it can be sprayed in case locusts come.

(Photo Credit: PTI)