Pakistan’s farmers are struggling to combat the worst locust plague in nearly three decades as insect swarms decimate entire harvests in the country’s agricultural heartlands and send food prices soaring.
Last year, the desert locusts, large herbivores that resemble grasshoppers arrived in Pakistan from Iran in June and have already ravaged cotton, wheat, maize and other crops.
Favorable weather conditions and a delayed government response have helped the locusts breed and attack crop areas.
Prime Minister Imran Khan pledged to tackle the issue, adding that protection of agriculture and farmers was the government’s priority. However, no substantial efforts have been made till now.
The Japanese ambassador to Pakistan, Kuninori Matsuda called on National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) chairman Muhammad Afzal and offered his country’s support in combating locust.
As per details, the NDMA chairman informed Japanese envoy about the situation emerged after the attacks of locust swarms in different cities of the country.
The Japanese envoy offered financial and technical support to Pakistan in tackling locust swarms. “Japan is ready to help Pakistan to tackle attacks of locust swarms.”
During the meeting, both leaders also discussed the situation emerged after the coronavirus. The Japanese ambassador appreciated the steps being taken by the Pakistani government to counter the spread of coronavirus.
The NDMA chairman said that Japan always helped Pakistan in every difficult time and offer all-out support. He said that Pakistan is suffering most from climate change and facing a lot of environmental challenges.
Earlier, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing assured that his government will help Pakistan in combating Locust.
Officials in southern Sindh province fear the infestation will devastate the supply of cotton, the local cash crop, ahead of its harvest in the coming months.
The last time Pakistan saw a serious threat of locusts was in 1993. Currently, locust swarms are affecting neighboring India and countries in East Africa.
