Telangana Agriculture sector to be severely affected by Locust attacks

Telangana: With the coronavirus already threatening the whole country, the threat of grasshoppers is now causing serious concern as they are destroying the crops in north India and is now heading to down south, especially towards Telangana. The state agriculture department has been alerted to the possibility of locusts from Maharashtra reaching Telangana.

Department Secretary B Janardan Reddy said that locals in Maharashtra and Amaravati area are controlling the grasshoppers and expressed concern that they may likely to enter Telangana if not treated. If it is not controlled, they are likely to come to Telangana. It is advised to Maharashtra border districts like Adilabad, Asifabad, Mancherial, Nizamabad, Kamareddy, Bhupalapalli and Nirmal to be vigilant. Collectors of the respective districts have been instructed to set up district-level committees and coordinate meetings with relevant authorities.

The grasshoppers will travel at 12-15 km per hour and cause severe damage to crops. He noted that locusts from Africa came to Pakistan through Pakistan, extending to Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. They were making loud noises with empty cans and electronic items to drive away grasshoppers. In every 15 litres of water add 45 ml litres of neem oil and sprinkle over the field.