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Agriculture Secretary Smt. Radha Singh today advised the scientists and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to make best use of bio-pesticides and remote sensing for controlling desert locust. The control operations by organophosphate chemicals are not only expensive but they also pose a threat to ecological balance, she said.
Smt. Radha Singh appreciated the efforts put by FAO for evolving an effective strategy for checking locust plagues and containing crop losses to the negligible over the last four decades. But, she said, the latest strategy of locust control may give interim relief but not a lasting solution. The Central and Western Regions including African and Gulf countries are badly affected by the desert locust now a days and the chances of immigration of Locust swarms from these countries to South West Asian countries cannot be ruled out, she said.
As about one-fifth of the earth’s land surface in 60 countries of Africa and Asia is affected by ravages caused by the locust, the Secretary called for strengthening the resources to face the challenge. The locust threat could only be contained by pooling the resources of the affected countries and coordination and cooperation at international level, she said.
Smt. Radha Singh said that India is well prepared to contain any upsurge in desert locust. India established a Locust Warning Organisation (LWO) in 1939 after through research by ICAR about locust biology and control strategies. The LWO is equipped with the trained personnel, latest sophisticated pesticide application equipment, radio communications and vehicles. Aircrafts are also deployed for controlling large-scale infestation of the desert locust.
The Secretary was inaugurating the 24th session of the FAO Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in South-West Asia. Representatives of South-West Asia commission of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran are participating in the Session. FAO represented by Mr. Clive CH Elliott & Mr. Daniel Gustafson.
MP:RC:SAK:2005-01-10-fao-locust
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