Locust swarms invade Rajasthan's Ajmer amid Covid; controlled after damaging crops

Swarms of locusts have attacked fields in Ajmer district in Rajasthan, causing 3 to 5 per cent dam to crops. locusts entered district from Nagaur and situation was brought under control with help of Fire department by spraying pesticides in area, informed Deputy Director of Agriculture department VK Sharma.

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Two-front war in Rajasthan

Earlier Locusts h hit Rajasthan in February this year. Later, authorities in State undertook a massive exercise to contain outbreak. Local media reported that government was preparing for a “two-front war”— one, which was ongoing against COVID-19 infections and ar to ensure food security — in anticipation of locust attack on farms. A few locust swarms were also reported in Aopgarh and Sri Ganganagar districts of Rajasthan after ir attack emanated from desert area of Pakistan.

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Locusts a global problem

According to global reports, locust swarms is expected to arrive all way from East Africa and attack farmlands in South Asia in coming months. Earlier, in February this year, Punjab and Haryana h reported locust infestation in its farms, following which states were put on high alerts. government deployed special teams to tackle situation and to spre awareness about locust preventive measures among farmers.

UN gars fund to deal with outbreak

Despite Coronavirus-related travel restrictions, international experts are in place to support efforts to ericate pests with measures including ground and aerial spraying of pesticides.  UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has mand to raise nearly $120m to tackle problem, which will augment efforts of governments in affected countries. 

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(With ncy inputs)