More Locust swarms feared to be entered via Oman, Iran and Africa: Fakhr Imam

Federal Minister for Food Security Fakhr Imam sid more locust attacks are feared from Oman, Iran and Africa.

Briefing at the National Locust Control Center (NLCC) Rawalpindi, Fakhr Imam said that the locust attacks has been brought under control in the country.

The federal minister said that for the first time since 1992, Pakistan has witnessed a fatal locust attack. China has provided 4.9 million worth of chemicals to eradicate the locusts.

He said that Rs 14 billion would be funded by the federal government and Rs 12 billion by the four provinces to control the locusts while 5,000 to 8,000 young men of the Pakistan Army were working to eradicate the locusts.

On the occasion, Lieutenant General Moazzam Ijaz, Coordinator, NLCC National, said that the next locust attack would be from Africa and Oman to Pakistan and then to India, while the locust attack would return to these countries from India in November-December.

Lt. Gen. Moazzam Ijaz added that the exchange of information is essential for the eradication of locusts.

Note that, the American magazine Bloomberg in its report that Locust infestation is a bigger economic threat than Coronavirus to Pakistan.

Bloomberg said that agriculture is the second largest sector of the Pakistani economy, accounting for 20% of the country’s gross domestic product and half of the country’s workforce is engaged in this sector.

The report said that locust attacks could affect crop production in Pakistan and pose serious economic risks.

According to officials at the Ministry of Food Security and Research, locusts have so far spread over an area of ​​57 million hectares, of which 23 million hectares have crops, while locusts are spreading rapidly and increasing in number.

Farmers have also termed locusts as a greater threat than coronavirus Pandemic. They say that keeping a social distance can prevent corona, but if locusts attack crops, there is no way to avoid famine and starvation.

Also read: Pak army to extend all available resources to eradicate locusts: COAS