The government of India has placed an order for buying 60 spraying machines from the UK-based company Micron, to battle the locust swarm attack.

Many Indian States Affected by Locust Swarm Attack

The efforts made by the government to control the spread of swarms of locust, crop-damaging migratory pests, in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Dehradun, and Madhya Pradesh, and soon plans to deploy drones in other affected regions declared by the Union Agriculture Ministry on Wednesday. 

During 2019-20, India witnessed a massive locust attack that was successfully controlled. Starting from May 21, 2019, till February 17, 2020, a total of 4,03,488 hectare area was treated and locust swarms were controlled, the statement said.

Government is Preparing to Fight

Nearly 21 districts in Rajasthan, 18 districts in Madhya Pradesh, 2 districts in Gujarat, and 1 district in Punjab have taken charge to utilize maximum measures to battle locust, the ministry stated.

Stating that the control operations are in full swing currently, the Ministry said so far locusts have been controlled in 47,308-hectare area in total 303 places in Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh by Locust Control Officers in coordination with district administration and state agriculture department.

However, there are active swarms of “immature locust” in 8 districts in Rajasthan (Barmer, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Bikaner, Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Sikar and Jaipur) and 7 districts in Madhya Pradesh (Satna, Gwalior, Seedhi, Rajgarh, Baitul, Devas, Agar Malwa), they stated.

The govt advised beating drums and playing music to prevent a swarm from settling on agriculture fields at night. Rashtriya Kisan Manch said the government should conduct a physical verification to assess the damage caused in locust attacks.