HYDERABAD: The locust attack on agriculture lands devastated fruits, vegetables and other major and minor crops in Sindh Pakistan. Prof Dr Muhammad Ismail Kumbhar, Chairman Department of Agricultural Education Extension & Short Courses, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam highlighted that the huge swarms of locusts can create food insecurity in the country.

Further, he added that the UNFAO warned that Sudan, Ethopia, South Sudan, Somalia, Pakistan and India should remain on high alert during the next 4 weeks, however, in Pakistan 38 percent of the area (60 percent Balochistan, 25 percent in Sindh and 15 percent in Punjab) are breeding grounds for the desert locust, whereas entire country is under the threat of desert locust invasion.

He further added that the humid and moist condition and monsoon in Sindh is right around the corner and desert locusts have two breeding seasons. Winter and spring, which is from January to June and summer and autumn, which is from June to December.

Prof Kumbhar highlighted the importance of Agriculture Sector which is the engine of Pakistan's economy and feeds more than 200 million people and around 67 percent livelihood dependent on agriculture.

He added that the federal and provincial governments failed to control the locust swarm at regional and national level and the poor and small farmers are facing issues at grass root level. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic the farmers are already faced with issues to export their agriculture products to the international market.

He added that the federal government claimed that only 5 districts of Sindh province have been affected by locust but reality is that more than 22 districts of Sindh are facing locust problem and Sindh is the most vulnerable province in this regard. He further said that locust emerged in Pakistan in May 2019 and still the government has not done enough to control locust.

He added that locust damaged the Rabi crops in 2019-20 and presently the farmers are running to save their Kharif Crops but the locust has also divested the Kharif fruits, vegetables especially kharif rice, sugarcane, banana, and cotton crop.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020