Rajasthan government to prepare anti-locust strategy based on field study

JODHPUR: Government will now prepare strategy according to the social study of the impact of locust mayhem, behaviour changes of locusts and weather conditions, which led to the disaster. Based on the observations following the field visits and discussions with the farmers in locust-affected areas, a Central team said this during the review meeting with the administration.
Headed by Atish Chandra, joint secretary (agriculture and farmers’ welfare), the team warned against over-reporting of the assessment of the damage caused by locusts, in order to draft an actual and correct strategy.
It may be noted that the team, in its two-day field visit of the locust-affected areas in Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Sriganganagar etc, also emphasized the need of making the farmers and the local community the first responders. “These are the farmers and the local community who are the first responders in the face of any calamity like a locust attack. There was a pressing need for public awareness and intensive training programmes for them,” said Chandra.
He, however, expressed satisfaction over the planning and efforts adopted in dealing with the locust attack in the region, in coordination among the state government and the district administrations.
“Communication plan for disaster management had been finalized in May last year with the arrival of the locusts. Locust control was quite successful from May to November,” said Chandra adding that understanding the change in pattern of weather and locust behaviour, locust menace was controlled on ground level by making the best use of available resources.
Directions were given in the meeting to always keep the physical resources ready and to be apprised of the pesticide mapping with a view to provide quick response in case of a similar threat. “Based on the pesticide mapping, we have come to the conclusion that 1,000 hectare area could be covered with one sprayer machine, we need 10 sprayer machines for every prospective area in future,” he said.
The experts admitted that lack of air-spray facilities allowed locusts to spread to a wider area. Highlighting the importance of aerial spray mechanism of the pesticides, the team underlined the importance of advanced drone technology. Experts said that based on the recommendation of the team, now the government can consider employing helicopters and drone technology.