Parts of India are experiencing harsh locust invasion the country has seen in over 2 decades. As the movement of the locust is directed towards the eastern part of the country, the Odisha government has notified farmers regarding a probable locust invasion. Asking the farmers not to panic, the state government has issued precautionary orders to all the regions that could be affected by this invasion.
Agriculture Minister Arun Kumar Sahoo, stressing that there is no reason to panic, said “The state government, as well as the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), have already issued an advisory for dealing with any locust invasion. Necessary measures were being taken to create awareness among the farmers, while the movement of swarms of locusts will be closely monitored at district and block levels.”
The latest sources indicate that the migratory pests are likely to enter west Odisha districts such as Sundergarh, Bargarh, Kalahandi and Bolangir and cause damage to vegetable plantations and trees.
“The state government is prepared to deal with any situation of disaster though Odisha has not encountered any locust attack in recent years”, Sahoo further said.