Staff Reporter
Islamabad
Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam here on Friday said that threats of desert locust attacks from Horn of Africa, Oman and Yemen was reduced, however currently country was facing locust threats coming from Indian side. He stated this while chairing the meeting of National Locusts Controle Centre (NLCC) on Friday. Lieutenant General Moazzam Ejaz, Coordinator NLCC also co-chaired the meeting, said a press release.
The meeting was informed that about 4,815,400 hectares have been surveyed, where as anti-locust operation was carried out in 1,093,400 hectares across the effected areas in the country. It was informed that right now locusts is present in only one district like Tharparkar. Food and Agriculture Organization shared its locust forecast and as per the forecast, in Southwest Asia, the situation has improved in Iran where few if any locust infestations remain.
However, the current situation remains serious along both sides of the Indo-Pakistan border where monsoon breeding is underway by spring-bred swarms, including those returning from northern India, and substantial hatching and band formation are expected in August. A second generation of summer breeding will start in September. Extensive control operations are in progress in both countries. Pakistan Meteorological Department mentioned that rain, wind thundershowers are expected in Sindh, south Punjab and Balochistan.
Rain-thundershowers are also likely to occur in upper Punjab, Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhuwa and Kashmir. Heavy fall in Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbella, Awaran, Panjgur, Kech and Gawadar was also forecast. It was mentioned that Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission of Pakistan (SUPARCO), is using space-based information to analyze areas with regards to their suitability as desert locust habitats based on vegetation, soil type and other factors.
The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has approved locust Emergency and Food Security Projects (LEAFS) for uplift of local agriculture sector and combating the locust threat in the country.
The project is the first federal agricultural project, which financed by the World Bank in Pakistan, said a press release issued by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research here Friday.
