Locust attack: Agri Dept team visits Rajasthan to take stock

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, January 16

After reports of locust attack on some crops in some parts of the neighbouring state of Rajasthan, the Agriculture Department here have sent a team of officials there to assess the situation and get training in how to control it.

MK Aravind Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, Muktsar, said, “The team has been sent to Rajasthan to see the situation in affected areas there and get training in how to deal with it from the teams working there.” He said the department officials had been directed to inform farmers of how to deal with any odd situation.

“Besides, the officials have been told to remain vigilant in areas sharing the boundary with Rajasthan,” he said.

Meanwhile, Baljinder Sing Brar, Chief Agriculture Officer, Muktsar, said, “Locust is just like a grasshopper that eats green crops. Some traditional methods and pesticides can be used to kill it.”

The officials appealed to the farmers to inform them if they came to know about any such attack here.

Farmers are worried after the reports of locust attack in Rajasthan. “We are unable to earn money alone from farming and now the locust attack in the neighbouring state has become a cause of concern. The officials should spray some pesticides in the fields located along the Rajasthan border and that too without charging a penny from farmers,” said Ranjit Singh, a farmer.

Similarly, Sarbjit Singh, another farmer, said, “It is the duty of the state government to protect us. The Chief Minister should timely pass the orders to distribute free pesticides to farmers having land along the Rajasthan border. If timely action is not taken, the situation will only worsen. Our family has suffered losses long ago and that is why, now I am saying it.”